The government has constituted a high-level advisory group on trade to look at ways to boost India’s share and importance in global merchandise and services trade in the challenging world scenario.

The group, to be headed by economist Surjit Bhalla, has been approved by Commerce & Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu, according to an official release of the Commerce Ministry circulated on Friday.

Other members of the group include former Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar, former Commerce Secretary Rajeev Kher, Principal Economic Advisor Sanjeev Sanyal, NCAER Director-General Shekhar Shah, Foreign Policy Advisor Vijay Chauthaiwale, IIM Bangalore’s Pulok Ghosh, former Ambassador of India to the WTO Jayant Dasgupta, Luthra & Luthra’s Rajiv K Luthra and CII DG Chandrajit Banerjee.

“The group will meet regularly over the next two months and make specific implementable recommendations to facilitate the formulation of future trade policies,” the release said.

The panel of trade experts will examine the prevailing international trade dynamics, including the rising protectionist tendencies, especially on the part of major economies, non-engagement by some countries on outstanding issues and commitments, including the Doha Development Agenda, and their insistence on pursuing negotiating mandates, in many cases prematurely and without efforts, to build consensus and common understanding, the release said.

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