In an era of global economic realignment, India stands at a pivotal juncture, leveraging new-age Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) to propel its ambition of becoming a $5 trillion economy by 2030 and a global trade powerhouse. Unlike their predecessors, which focused narrowly on tariff reductions, modern FTAs are comprehensive, encompassing digital trade, intellectual property rights (IPR), sustainability, labor standards, and geopolitical strategies. For India, these agreements are not mere trade pacts but strategic instruments to drive export-led growth, attract foreign direct investment (FDI), enhance industrial competitiveness, and foster inclusive development. As of May 2025, India’s merchandise exports stand at $437 billion (April 2024–February 2025), with services exports at $340 billion, and FTAs are poised to amplify these figures. Yet, the path is fraught with challenges—trade deficits, domestic capacity constraints, and geopolitical trade-of...
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