Ajay Srivastava

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

Rubio’s $500 Billion India Claim Overlooks Collapse of BTA Logic

The $500 billion import pledge looks increasingly uncertain after the tariff bargain behind the proposed India–US trade deal collapsed.

Ajay Srivastava

May 24, 2026 at 8:57 AM IST

@SecRubio

India’s Silver Import Curbs Aim to Plug UAE Duty Arbitrage

Under the India-UAE CEPA, which came into force on May 1, 2022, India agreed to gradually reduce tariffs on silver imports from the UAE from 10% to zero over a ten-year period ending in 2031.

Ajay Srivastava

May 17, 2026 at 6:14 AM IST

iStock.com

India's Precious Metals Duty Hike Widens Dubai Arbitrage

The concessional tariff on silver imports from the UAE currently stands at 7%. With India now raising the general tariff to 15%, the duty gap has widened to 8 percentage points, creating a major arbitrage opportunity for imports routed through Dubai.

Ajay Srivastava

May 13, 2026 at 5:38 AM IST

iStock.com

India Must Resist EU, US Pressure on Data Exclusivity in Farm-Chemicals

India built a $4.4 billion agrochemical export industry on the back of generic manufacturing. Now, TRIPS-plus pressure from the West threatens to redraw the rules — with serious consequences for farmers, MSMEs, and India's trade balance.

Ajay Srivastava

May 11, 2026 at 9:57 AM IST

istock.com

India Needs Market-Linked Formula for Petrol, Diesel Prices

Retail fuel prices should be directly linked to global crude oil prices, exchange rates, refining costs and taxes through a published formula.

Ajay Srivastava

May 9, 2026 at 5:48 AM IST

iStock.com

US Court Blocks Section 122 Tariffs, Relief for Indian Firms Not Immediate

The decision currently applies only to the parties that filed the case — the state of Washington, spice importer Burlap & Barrel, and toy maker Basic Fun!

Ajay Srivastava

May 8, 2026 at 1:36 PM IST

Fastener QCOs Raise Costs, Choke Supplies, Hurt Industry

Separate BIS certification for numerous variants—based on size, grade, and coating—significantly raises compliance costs.

Ajay Srivastava

May 7, 2026 at 1:40 PM IST

istockimages/prabhjits

US Keeps India on IP Watch List, Presses for Dilution of Patent Rules

India should avoid diluting key patent law provisions such as Section 3(d) and compulsory licensing under external pressure, and must also ensure that its IPR framework is not weakened through commitments in future free trade agreements.

Ajay Srivastava

May 1, 2026 at 9:27 AM IST

iStock.com

India’s China Trade Tilt Raises Supply Chain Risks

India’s China deficit widens as imports double, driven by industrial dependence across key sectors, exposing supply chains to concentrated risks.

Ajay Srivastava

April 29, 2026 at 1:21 PM IST

iStock.com

India–New Zealand FTA: Services & Mobility May Outweigh Goods Bargain

The agreement focuses on reducing tariffs on goods, improving market access in services and easing trade procedures, while protecting India’s policy space in sensitive areas, especially basic dairy products.

Ajay Srivastava

April 27, 2026 at 3:56 PM IST

@PiyushGoyal

India’s Textile and Garment Exports Slip in Real Terms

Data Shows India may be losing market share or failing to expand in key global markets, particularly in labour-intensive sectors where it should be gaining ground.

Ajay Srivastava

April 25, 2026 at 9:54 AM IST

iStock.com/wsfurlan

US Tariff Refund: India’s $12 Billion Gain Hinges on Case-to-Case Negotiations

The refunds follow a February 20, 2026 ruling by the US Supreme Court, which said President Donald Trump’s tariffs were illegal

Ajay Srivastava

April 21, 2026 at 8:16 AM IST

Istock.com

EU to Widen CBAM Tax Net to 180 More Products

The EU has not yet published HS-code-wise product details, but the proposal shows that CBAM is moving deeper into the manufacturing value chain.

Ajay Srivastava

April 16, 2026 at 9:38 AM IST

iStock.com/JerryB7

Services Export May Overtake Merchandise in 2026-27, Fingers Crossed on AI

Services exports rose 7.9% to $418.3 billion in 2025-26, compared with merchandise exports of $441.8 billion.

Ajay Srivastava

April 15, 2026 at 3:24 PM IST

iStock.com

US Announces Heavy Tariffs on Patented Drugs, Spares Generics for Now

Around 90% of India’s pharmaceutical exports to the US are generics

Ajay Srivastava

April 3, 2026 at 6:47 AM IST

WTO’s MC14 Ends in Deadlock, Exposes Deep Fault Lines

India’s blocking of IFDA helped defend the WTO’s consensus-based system. But principles alone won’t suffice and India should avoid being seen as standing alone.

Ajay Srivastava

March 30, 2026 at 5:38 AM IST

WTO

Pressure Mounts on India as WTO Talks Focus on E-Commerce and Investment Deals

A temporary compromise of 2–4 years appears the most likely outcome on e-commerce moratorium on customs duties.

Ajay Srivastava

March 28, 2026 at 6:38 AM IST

WTO

Washington Turns to Trade Investigations as Tariff Strategy Unravels

With its reciprocal tariff strategy struck down by the Supreme Court, Washington is reviving Section 301 probes, placing India and 15 economies under scrutiny.

Ajay Srivastava

March 12, 2026 at 9:55 AM IST

Gulf Turmoil Puts India’s Farm Exports at Risk

India exported $7.48 billion of cereals, fruits, vegetables and spices to West Asia in 2025, with the region accounting for 29.2% of India’s global exports in this category.

Ajay Srivastava

March 7, 2026 at 12:52 PM IST

iStock.com/SushilPrajapati

Iran Crisis Threatens Global Oil Flow and India

Iran is unlikely to resemble Venezuela-style regime collapse scenarios. Iran’s political system rests on powerful parallel institutions — the clerical establishment, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and entrenched nationalist sentiment — making rapid external regime engineering improbable.

Ajay Srivastava

March 1, 2026 at 12:15 PM IST

Pavel Muravev/iStock.com

The Bureau

Benchmarks End Lower, Post Monthly Losses Amid US-Iran Uncertainty

India Cuts Monsoon Rain Forecast to 90%

RBI Says Bond Yields May Face Upward Pressure If Global Easing Stalls

Cash Growth Outpaces Economy as Currency in Circulation Rises Nearly 12%

Large-Ticket Frauds Drive Sharp Rise in Bank Fraud Value Despite Fewer Cases: RBI Report

RBI to Sharpen Focus on Neutral Rate in Wider Policy Modelling Push

RBI to Transfer Record ₹2.87 Trillion Surplus To Govt, CRB Buffer Set Lower at 6.5%

Flawed Design, Poor Planning Make Extreme Heat Conditions Worse For Indian Cities

Learning to Shoot: I Tried to Fly Before I Could Walk