Ajay Srivastava

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

Why Blaming a Missed Call Won’t Explain the India–US Trade Impasse

Trade deals of this scale hinge on unresolved policy differences—on tariffs, agriculture, digital trade and regulatory autonomy—not on symbolic gestures.

Ajay Srivastava

January 9, 2026 at 2:57 PM IST

White House

Why Steel Sector Protection Must be Reviewed

Opinion

The CCI has reportedly found evidence of cartelisation by steel producers, but is yet to issue a final order. Downstream industries though have already paid the price.

Ajay Srivastava

January 8, 2026 at 9:32 AM IST

iStock.com

India, the World’s Largest Silver Importer, Must not Ignore Processing

India should recognise silver as a critical industrial and energy-transition metal, not merely a precious commodity, and integrate it into its minerals and clean-energy strategy.

Ajay Srivastava

January 7, 2026 at 8:51 AM IST

iStock.com

Venezuela Shock: Capture of Oil Reserves Core Issue, India Remains Unaffected

India was a major buyer of Venezuelan crude in the 2000s and 2010s, but bilateral engagement has weakened sharply since 2019 due to US sanctions.

Ajay Srivastava

January 4, 2026 at 5:59 AM IST

US Government/Via Wikicommons

Import Barriers on Metallurgical Coke Are Raising the Cost of Making Steel in India

Opinion

Over the past 1 year, India has progressively tightened controls on LAM Coke imports through safeguard measures, quantitative restrictions, and provisional anti-dumping duties, creating a double barrier on both volumes and prices.

Ajay Srivastava

December 28, 2025 at 4:42 AM IST

India’s Exports Face a Hard 2026 Despite FTA Push

India must urgently review the performance of its FTAs—sector by sector—to ensure they are actually expanding exports, integrating Indian firms into global value chains, and delivering measurable trade gains rather than remaining under-utilised diplomatic trophies.

Ajay Srivastava

December 25, 2025 at 6:48 AM IST

iStock.com

The Opportunity Hidden in New Zealand’s Import Basket

India’s exports remain small even in products where it is a major global supplier and New Zealand imports heavily, often sourcing from China instead.

Ajay Srivastava

December 24, 2025 at 8:41 AM IST

India’s China Trade: Volatile Exports, Rising Import Dependence

India’s exports to China surged 90% in November 2025. What’s behind the numbers?

Ajay Srivastava

December 21, 2025 at 9:59 AM IST

iStock.com

What’s Behind the Rebound in Indian Exports to the US — and Is It Sustainable?

About 85% of India’s US Exports Show a Two-Step Pattern as Tariffs Rise: Sharp Fall, Then Partial Recovery

Ajay Srivastava

December 21, 2025 at 6:17 AM IST

iStock.com/MAGNIFIER

India Expands Gulf Trade Footprint with Oman CEPA

For India, the most visible gains lie in merchandise exports. Oman has offered immediate zero-duty access on about 98% of its tariff lines, covering roughly 99% of India’s exports by value.

Ajay Srivastava

December 18, 2025 at 4:25 PM IST

PIB

Oman Trade Deal Anchors India’s Expanding Gulf Strategy

The structure of the CEPA broadly mirrors the commitments India offered the United Arab Emirates under their bilateral trade pact, reflecting New Delhi’s evolving template for Gulf trade agreements.

Ajay Srivastava

December 17, 2025 at 4:05 PM IST

iStock.com

Which Sectors Mexico’s Tariffs Will Hit in India, And Why New Delhi Has Limited Options

For India, the measures affect nearly three-quarters of its $5.75 billion exports to Mexico in 2024-25, fundamentally altering the commercial logic of accessing the Mexican market.

Ajay Srivastava

December 12, 2025 at 3:05 PM IST

iStock.com

USTR Shares One-Sided Narrative on Trade Bargains With India

The conversation, so far, is heavily tilted toward opening India’s markets for US farm products and biofuels, with little clarity on market access for Indian exports.

Ajay Srivastava

December 10, 2025 at 4:16 PM IST

Via WikiCommons

India Can Increase Exports to Russia Sevenfold to $35 Billion by 2030; Here’s How

Closing the trade gap, will depend on identifying and scaling high-potential product lines where India is globally competitive but commercially absent in Russia.

Ajay Srivastava

December 5, 2025 at 3:49 PM IST

Wikimedia Commons

Putin’s Visit: A Diplomatic Tightrope For New Delhi

The timing could hardly be more delicate. New Delhi is under pressure from Washington over its purchase of Russian oil and to open its markets to US goods and defence sales.

Ajay Srivastava

December 2, 2025 at 3:52 PM IST

Via WikiCommons

India’s Exports to US Fall 28.5% in Past Five Months as Tariffs Batter Key Sectors

The government should urgently roll out the Export Promotion Mission and press Washington to drop the Russia-related tariff.

Ajay Srivastava

November 29, 2025 at 4:18 AM IST

iStock.com

India–Israel Trade Deal Returns to Agenda After a Decade-Long Pause

India’s renewed FTA push with Israel signals a pivot from limited merchandise trade to high-value partnerships in defence, agri-tech, electronics, water systems and innovation.

Ajay Srivastava

November 24, 2025 at 10:13 AM IST

iStock.com

India’s US Exports Rebound After Four Consecutive Months of Decline

Globally, India’s exports declined by 11.8%. Overall, India saw growth in just five markets and declines in fifteen, reflecting a patchy and fragile export landscape.

Ajay Srivastava

November 17, 2025 at 2:54 PM IST

iStock.com

New US Bill Targets Outsourcing, Threatens India’s IT Engine

The bill proposal a 25% excise tax on payments that US firms make to any “foreign person” for labour or services that ultimately benefit US consumers, even if the services are performed entirely abroad.

Ajay Srivastava

November 14, 2025 at 4:44 AM IST

iStock.com

GTRI: Developing Critical Mineral Ecosystem Needs More Than Just a Cut in Royalty

Ajay Srivastava

November 13, 2025 at 12:01 PM IST

The Bureau

Cyber Threats Set to Intensify in 2026 as AI Arms Race Accelerates: Moody’s

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Bloomberg Defers Call on India Gilts Inclusion for Global Aggregate Index

December CPI Rises to 1.33% as Food Deflation Narrows; Quarter Print Above RBI Forecast

India’s Growth Set to Cool in FY27 as Policy Support Fades: QuantEco

New CPI Series to Smooth Inflation Swings, Keeping 2026 Price Pressures Largely in Check

FY26 GDP Data Points to Second-Half Slowdown and Softer Growth Next Fiscal

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