Ahead Of Crucial WTO Conference, Govt Extends Brajendra Navnit's Tenure As India's Ambassador To The Global Trade Body

The government has extended the tenure of Brajendra Navnit as Ambassador and Permanent Representative of India to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) for nine months till 31 March next year.

Navnit had assumed charge as Ambassador on 29 June 2020, and his tenure was till 28 June 2023.

"The Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC) has approved the proposal of Department of Commerce for extension in tenure of foreign deputation of Brajendra Navnit," the Department of Personnel & Training said in an office memorandum.

The extension is "for a period beyond 28 June 2023 and upto 31 March 2024 or until further orders, whichever is earlier".

Navnit's extension comes ahead of the 13th ministerial conference of the WTO in February, during which India will advocate for granting flexibilities to developing nations grappling with food insecurity crises, reports Economic Times.

India will also bat for the provision to subsidise farmers beyond the minimal amount of subsidies permitted by the WTO, commonly known as "de minimis" in trade terminology.

New Delhi is also looking forward to a resolution regarding the extension of the global intellectual property rights waiver for Covid therapeutics and diagnostics.

Currently, this flexibility is available for Covid vaccines, and India seeks to expand it to cover other medical treatments for the pandemic.

Further, India has also objected to carbon border measures that are being selectively applied to “trade-exposed industries” such as steel, aluminium, chemicals, plastics, polymers, chemicals and fertilisers.

A 1999-batch IAS officer, Navnit, in his last assignment as Joint Secretary to the Prime Minister, looked after economic ministries including Finance and Commerce.

Navnit’s experience in subjects related to trade and commerce includes his work on the review of India’s various Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs).

His analysis of India’s potential in trade, helped identify and further develop sectors wherein India enjoys competitive advantage. He also provided inputs on various trade negotiations and WTO related matters.