Ajay Srivastava

Ajay Srivastava, founder of Global Trade Research Initiative, is an ex-Indian Trade Service officer with expertise in WTO and FTA negotiations.

Which Sectors Will US Tariffs Hit Most and How to Brace for it

GTRI examines the scale and distribution of the impact across sectors, the potential GDP implications, and the strategic responses required.

Ajay Srivastava

August 26, 2025 at 4:17 PM IST

iStock.com/MAGNIFIER

US, EU Framework Agreement on Trade and Lessons for India

New Delhi should push for similar carve-outs and flexibilities in CBAM and sustainability rules, especially to shield Indian SMEs and exporters from disproportionate costs.

Ajay Srivastava

August 22, 2025 at 4:55 AM IST

White House

Fresh China Bonhomie Shouldn’t Sidetrack Imperative of Self-Reliance

China has eased some export curbs to India, but with a $100 billion trade deficit and sweeping import dependence, India’s only real shield lies in building self-reliance and resilient supply chains.

Ajay Srivastava

August 20, 2025 at 1:59 PM IST

How Some Importers Mined a Scheme for Exporters to Dodge Exchequer

It was meant to be a scheme to help cut input costs for exporters. It turned into a licence to loot. Here’s an explainer on how the saga started, and is still unfolding.

Ajay Srivastava

August 17, 2025 at 4:09 PM IST

iStock.com/MAGNIFIER

Seven Possible Endgames for India in the US Tariff Standoff

India faces seven possible endgames in its tariff standoff with Washington. The right mix of negotiation and fortification could decide the long game.

Ajay Srivastava

August 15, 2025 at 10:02 AM IST

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Trump Tariffs Have Entered the Test Arena. Here’s a Comeback Plan

India’s exports to the US may drop nearly 30% as steep tariffs bite across textiles, shrimp, jewellery and metals. Here’s a five-point action plan to mitigate the impact.

Ajay Srivastava

August 5, 2025 at 5:19 AM IST

With US–EU Deal Done, Spotlight Shifts to New Delhi

Recent trade deals of the US share a clear structure: Washington imposes new tariffs, ranging from 10% to 20% above MFN rates, while securing near-complete tariff elimination from its partners.

Ajay Srivastava

July 28, 2025 at 10:32 AM IST

c.europa.eu/

Scotch for Mangoes Works, but Drug IP Concessions Deserved a Red Flag

India-UK FTA

India’s trade pacts with the UAE, Switzerland, and now the UK are steadily trading market access for deeper concessions on patents, procurement, and regulatory control.

Ajay Srivastava

July 24, 2025 at 4:29 PM IST

PIB

Indonesia’s Lop-Sided US Deal Shows Why New Delhi Must Bargain Hard

As details of the Indonesia–US trade deal emerge, it offers India key lessons, including how Washington can extract its pound of flesh at whim.

Ajay Srivastava

July 23, 2025 at 3:07 PM IST

White House

India Must Not Be the Next Casualty of Trump’s Phone-Based Deals

To avoid misrepresentation, as was the case with the US deals with Jakarta and Hanoi, India must insist on a jointly issued, written statement before acknowledging any agreement.

Ajay Srivastava

July 19, 2025 at 11:46 AM IST

White House

India Should Continue Buying Russian Oil

The message from India should be clear: it’s willing to work with the US where interests align, but won’t alter strategic decisions out of fear of tariffs.

Ajay Srivastava

July 17, 2025 at 6:12 AM IST

iStock.com

Trade by Threat: Trump’s New Model Forces Compliance, Not Cooperation

According to sources, India has already submitted its final offer. But New Delhi must tread carefully. Trump’s model isn’t an FTA —it’s a YATRA: Yielding to American Tariff Retaliation Agreement

Ajay Srivastava

July 8, 2025 at 6:10 AM IST

Becker1999/ Via Wiki Commons

China's Strong-Arm Tactics Need A Calibrated Response

China has not issued any official explanation for withdrawing engineers from Foxconn plant in India, but the timing is telling. New Delhi is on the verge of finalising a trade deal with Washington.

Ajay Srivastava

July 3, 2025 at 5:38 PM IST

India Pushes For Zero Tariff On Labour-Intensive Exports As Talks Enter Last Leg

India-US FTA

India demands zero tariffs on key exports in US FTA talks, crucial for job growth and MSME boost. Will the US bite?

Ajay Srivastava

July 2, 2025 at 5:48 AM IST

Talks Enter Final Stretch, But India, US Hold Cards Close To The Chest

Trade Deal

The July 8 deadline is significant. It marks the end of President Trump’s 90-day suspension of the “Liberation Day” country-specific tariffs, originally announced on April 2.

Ajay Srivastava

June 27, 2025 at 11:25 AM IST

White House

Diluting Local Content Norm In Telecom Supplies Not In Sync With Make In India

DoT's plan to ease local content norms may aid MNCs like Cisco, but threatens Indian telecom firms' hard-won gains, weakening strategic autonomy.

Ajay Srivastava

June 22, 2025 at 11:50 AM IST

iStock/paule858

US Entry To Test India’s Diplomacy, Studied Neutrality

Israel-Iran Conflict

The world stands closer to a World War III–type confrontation than at any point in decades with the US and Israel attacking Iran, China and Russia backing Tehran, and Pakistan quietly aligning with Washington. For India, this is a moment of high stakes.

Ajay Srivastava

June 22, 2025 at 8:03 AM IST

White House

Trade Data Hints At India Emerging As Key Pivot In US–China Rift

India gains from shifting global trade as US–China flows dip, but rising Middle East tensions and protectionist trends pose fresh risks to supply chains, energy security, and export momentum.

Ajay Srivastava

June 16, 2025 at 3:35 PM IST

iStock.com/NiroDesign

Collateral Risks Outweigh Bilateral Trade Exposure For India

Israel-Iran Conflict

As conflict escalates in West Asia, India faces rising risks—not from direct trade loss, but from potential disruptions to vital shipping lanes that underpin its energy security and export flows.

Ajay Srivastava

June 16, 2025 at 3:04 PM IST

Saeed Qaq/Anadolu via Getty Images

Why Tariff Cuts On US Farm Goods Could Leave Scars

NITI Aayog’s paper suggests reducing tariffs on select US farm products. However, this could be a risky move, as tariffs locked in an FTA are difficult to raise later, even during global disruptions, price drops, or rural economic distress.

Ajay Srivastava

June 10, 2025 at 1:45 PM IST

AI generated

The Bureau

India’s Economy Expands 7.8% in June Quarter, Highest in Five Quarters

Rupee Hits Record Low as Tariff Shock Fuels FPI Outflows

Trump Tests the Guardrails of US Credibility

India’s Industrial Output Growth Hits Four-Month High of 3.5% in July

Fed Eyes Data Before Rate Decision; Trump’s 50% Tariff on India in effect

Fitch Affirms India Rating Days After S&P Upgrade, Points to Tariff Risks

Lifting the Lid on Regulatory Silence

How Some Importers Mined a Scheme for Exporters to Dodge Exchequer

Sanjeev Sanyal on Trump, India’s Growth Path, and Process Reforms

Sarci-Sense: About Silent Goodbyes & How Middle-Age Friendships Disappear

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