A virus that has connected the world as no other is also responsible for increasingly inward-looking policies. Over the coming months, India, as is the case with many other countries, will be confronted with crucial policy choices in achieving 'atmanirbharta', or self-resilience and self-reliance, while at the same time not giving in to protectionism. In doing so, while some rules of trade may inevitably have to be rewritten, it is also important to uphold existing rights and obligations. As an original multilateralist and a founding member of the GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade) and the WTO (World Trade Organisation), India has a crucial role to play in ensuring that Covid-19 does not render the WTO and its framework of rules redundant.
Originally published in Financial Express, 19 May, 2020
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