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Commerce secretary says trade deals can boost jobs and investment

2026-10-07 · 1 source · Economic Times Economy

In short

Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal said India can increase its role in global value chains and that trade deals with developed economies can help bring in investment. He also said India’s participation rate has risen a lot over the past decade.

This matters because trade agreements can affect jobs, investment and exports. The reporting does not name any specific deal or say how much investment could come in.

What the reporting says

Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal said India can grow its participation in global value chains and that free trade agreements with developed economies can help trade and attract investment, according to a publisher summary. He also said India’s participation rate has risen significantly over the past decade. The immediate implication is a pro-trade policy message, while the reporting does not give a specific agreement, job number or investment amount.

Why it matters

Rajesh Agarwal said India can deepen its role in global value chains and that free trade agreements with developed economies can support trade and investment. He said India’s participation rate has increased significantly over the past decade. The remarks signal support for trade policy, but the reporting does not identify a particular deal, timetable or quantified job impact.

Touches: Economy, Government, Jobs

Sources