Ministry of Commerce & Industry (Union Minister: 2017–2019)
Drove export expansion strategy that helped push merchandise exports toward a record ~US$330 billion (2018–19) through trade promotion and market diversification.
Launched the Agriculture Export Policy (objective: double agri exports from ~US$30B to US$60B) — focused on high-value/value-added products, perishables, SPS barrier removal, market access and integrating farmers into global value chains.
Set up the Investment War Room — a single-window, high-touch mechanism to attract and resolve FDI and large investments quickly (real-time problem solving and facilitation).
Formulated and piloted a district-level Ease of Doing Business (EODB) framework and district manufacturing plans to decentralise reforms and incentivise local manufacturing clusters.
Began drafting the National e-Commerce Policy to regulate and boost digital trade, and pushed a modernised IPR policy to protect innovations and make enforcement more business-friendly.
Hosted targeted ministerial engagements to strengthen India’s negotiation posture at multilateral trade fora and organised mini-WTO level meetings to build support for Indian trade priorities.
Minister of Commerce and Industry (2017–2019)
Key contributions include:
- Increasing Indian merchandise exports to historic levels
- Reducing trade deficit with China
- Launching Agriculture Export Policy to double farm exports
- Investment War Room for strategic capital inflows
- Make in India 2.0 planning and district-level economic acceleration
- Strengthening Intellectual Property Rights and e-commerce policy frameworks
Achievements and Initiatives
- Increased merchandise exports to a record high of US$330 billion in 2018-19.
- Reduced trade deficit with China by US$10 billion in 2018-19.
- Introduced the Agriculture Export Policy to double agricultural exports to US$60 billion.
- Launched the Investment War Room to attract and facilitate foreign direct investment (FDI) into India.
- Oversaw the implementation of Make in India 2.0 to focus on boosting sustainable manufacturing and job creation in India.
- Set up a Data Analytics Unit to use data to inform policymaking and improve the efficiency of the Commerce and Industry Ministry.
- Launched the pilot district-level development plan in six districts across five states, focusing on critical interventions to boost district-level manufacturing.
- Initiated the introduction of an Ease of Doing Business (EODB) framework at the district level, supporting the goal of achieving a USD 5 trillion economy.
- Organized a special mini Ministerial WTO meet in India to strengthen India's role on the global trade stage.
- Initiated the development of India's first-ever National e-Commerce Policy to address the evolving digital marketplace.
- Implemented a modern Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) policy to enhance India's IPR regime, fostering innovation and creativity.
