India Emphasizes Rule-Based Order in International Trade at UNCITRAL Conference

International Trade Law Conference Concludes in New Delhi

NEW DELHI | July 28, 2026: A three-day international conference held in New Delhi to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) has successfully concluded. The high-level summit was jointly organized by India's Ministry of External Affairs, in collaboration with the Supreme Court of India and UNCITRAL.

In his valedictory address, Sudhakara Dalela, Secretary (Economic Relations) at the Ministry of External Affairs, stressed the imperative of a rule-based system to safeguard global trade. He highlighted India's sustained contributions to the progressive evolution and modernization of international trade law, reaffirming the nation's strong commitment to fostering a more robust, rule-driven, and equitable legal framework governing global trade and commerce.

“India's decades-long cooperation with UNCITRAL is a testament to our consistent advocacy for creating a transparent and internationally compatible legal environment,” Dalela stated.

Discussions on Digital Economy and Supply Chains

The significant three-day conference brought together eminent jurists, legal experts, policymakers, and stakeholders from around the globe. The forum engaged in in-depth deliberations on harmonizing and stabilizing international trade rules amidst geopolitical instability, supply chain disruptions, and rapid digital transformations.

Various sessions of the conference featured experts sharing insights on pressing issues such as the digital economy, cross-border insolvency, international commercial arbitration, and reforms in dispute resolution mechanisms.

India's Growing Role in Global Trade Law

Randhir Jaiswal, Spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, had previously announced via a social media post on the evening of July 26th that the Ministry, along with the Supreme Court of India and UNCITRAL, had organized an international conference to mark UNCITRAL's 60th anniversary.

The closing session was attended by Secretary (Economic Relations) Sudhakara Dalela. This occasion was particularly crucial for reflecting on India's contributions and collaboration with UNCITRAL in the development of international trade law. The conference's opening session was addressed by External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, who also emphasized the need for a rule-based legal structure to secure global trade, a point further reinforced by Secretary Dalela's concluding remarks.

This successful event not only showcased India's increasing role in international dispute resolution but also sent a strong message that future trade laws should be more inclusive and aligned with the developmental priorities of developing nations (the Global South).