Ajay Srivastava

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

US targets Economic Blockade of Iran as Military Campaign Reaches Stalemate

Opinion

The US offensive may hurt Iran but its success will depend on China which buys most of Iran’s exported oil, for Washington will hesitate to impose its harshest sanctions on major Chinese banks.

Ajay Srivastava

August 25, 2026 at 6:52 AM IST

istock.com

Canada Walks Away From US Trade Talks, and Lessons for India

New Delhi should seek clear, binding and durable tariff concessions before making commitments on agriculture, digital regulation, critical minerals or government procurement.

Ajay Srivastava

August 23, 2026 at 3:06 PM IST

White House

India Eases Rupee Trade Rules, but Wider Adoption Will Need More Work

India has cleared a key regulatory hurdle for rupee trade, but wider adoption will depend on easier access to rupees, hedging, banking processes, and ways to deploy balances.

Ajay Srivastava

August 21, 2026 at 4:53 AM IST

iStock.com/MAGNIFIER

Why the White House’s China Transshipment Claims Look Like a Red Herring

Big Allegations, Little Evidence: The transshipment report looks less like proof of widespread fraud and more like a diversionary tactic from the failure of US tariffs to curb import dependence.

Ajay Srivastava

August 14, 2026 at 10:29 AM IST

PIB

A Small UPI Fee Could Carry a Large Economic Cost

Opinion

India should keep UPI and RuPay payments free, enforce the market-share cap and consider annual participation fees on dominant platforms.

Ajay Srivastava

August 9, 2026 at 7:13 AM IST

iStock.com

Merchant Fees Should Not Be levied On UPI Under External Pressure

India should not introduce MDR to address US trade complaints, or protect payments companies. Any decision needs to be based on the cost of running UPI and ensuring its long-term sustainability.

Ajay Srivastava

August 6, 2026 at 8:46 AM IST

iStock.com

India Faces Fresh Tariff Risk as US Senate Advances Russia Sanctions Bill

The bill gives US President broad discretion over whether to impose tariffs and which countries to target.

Ajay Srivastava

July 29, 2026 at 3:01 PM IST

DGFT's Restriction on Import of PVC Resin Will Raise Cost

Domestic resin manufacturers are expected to benefit from stronger pricing power, but downstream manufacturers are likely to face higher raw material costs.

Ajay Srivastava

July 29, 2026 at 1:32 PM IST

iStock.com

US Section 301 Tariffs May Face Challenges Over Unequal Treatment

Washington’s forced-labour tariffs appear designed less to punish violations than to preserve recent trade deals, creating unequal remedies that may invite legal challenge.

Ajay Srivastava

July 26, 2026 at 11:08 AM IST

iStock.com

US Reduces Tariff on India to 10%, Replaces Section 122 Tariffs with Permanent Forced-Labour Duties

The USTR said 60 economies failed to prohibit, or enforce restrictions on, goods produced using forced labour. of these 17 will face 10% tariff and the remaining 43 economies will be subject to 12.5% tariff.

Ajay Srivastava

July 24, 2026 at 5:59 AM IST

istock.com

India's Double Food-Safety Challenge as EU FTA Nears

As the India-EU FTA nears, can Indian farmers compete against Europe's stringent food-safety rules? Ajay Srivastava explains why stronger domestic enforcement is crucial for protecting exports and consumers alike.

Ajay Srivastava

July 23, 2026 at 11:25 AM IST

iStock.com

Trump's Generic Drug Tariff Threat: Two Years Is a Long Time

Indian companies supply 47% of all generic prescriptions dispensed in the US, making India the country's largest source of affordable generic medicines.

Ajay Srivastava

July 22, 2026 at 7:36 AM IST

Why India Shouldn't Lose Sleep Over the New US Russia Sanctions Bill

The original bill sat in the Senate for more than 15 months without action, suggesting limited congressional support for such sweeping tariff powers.

Ajay Srivastava

July 15, 2026 at 3:25 PM IST

iStock.com

India Creates Legal Framework to Ban Forced-Labor Imports, May Help Avoid More US Tariff

The US has launched Section 301 investigations covering about 60 economies, including India, and has proposed a 12.5% tariff on imports from India and most other countries under review.

Ajay Srivastava

July 14, 2026 at 12:50 PM IST

iStock.com

India–UK CETA: Mapping UK's Export Winners

For the UK, the largest commercial gains are likely to come not from mass-market consumer goods but from silver, aerospace equipment, premium vehicles and high-end spirits. in

Ajay Srivastava

July 13, 2026 at 9:24 AM IST

Istock.com

India–UK CETA: Mapping India's Export Winners

The biggest CETA gains are likely in sectors where India is competitive, UK demand is strong and tariffs fall, including garments, textiles, leather and seafood.

Ajay Srivastava

July 11, 2026 at 5:20 AM IST

istock.com

Make DGFT Faster: Timely Decisions Will Eliminate the Crowds

DGFT, India's main export facilitation agency, has come under criticism from exporters over a circular that could limit their access to officers handling their cases.

Ajay Srivastava

July 3, 2026 at 10:54 AM IST

iStock.com

India-US BTA: Negotiating in the Shadow of a Collapsing Bargain

Opinion

Trade agreements should create durable commercial gains for both sides. They should not function as protection payments against future unilateral actions.

Ajay Srivastava

June 23, 2026 at 4:18 PM IST

X/@USAmbIndia

How Tariff Policies Are Undermining Value-Added Manufacturing

India’s aluminium tariffs protect primary producers but raise costs for downstream firms, weakening value-added manufacturing, jobs, exports and public infrastructure efficiency.

Ajay Srivastava

June 19, 2026 at 4:29 AM IST

istock.com

US-Iran Peace Deal Offers Relief, and Lessons for India

The deal could lower energy costs, ease inflationary pressures and support the rupee; but for India, it offers insight on negotiating with any major power from a position of confidence.

Ajay Srivastava

June 15, 2026 at 8:19 AM IST

istock.com

The Bureau

Market Wrap: Stock Indices Fall as HDFC Bank, Metals Drag; Rupee, Bonds Weaken

POLL: India April-June GDP growth seen around 7.4%, SBI most bullish at 8%

India April-June GDP Growth Seen at 7.5%, Above RBI View: Barclays

US targets Economic Blockade of Iran as Military Campaign Reaches Stalemate

UPI & RuPay Payments May Soon Cost You: — Here’s What Could Change

The Foster Mother of Lodhi Garden