The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), under the Department of Commerce, has operationalised an Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG) for Supply Chain Resilience to address the impact of ongoing geopolitical developments on India’s exports and critical imports.

This decision was taken in a high-level meeting held on March 02, 2026, under the Chairmanship of the Special Secretary, Department of Commerce & DG, DGFT. The move reflects the Government of India’s proactive approach to safeguarding export interests, minimizing supply chain disruptions, and strengthening trade continuity.

Background and Context

In recent years, global trade has been significantly affected by geopolitical tensions, logistics bottlenecks, trade restrictions, and disruptions in critical raw material supply. These challenges have directly impacted exporters, manufacturers, and import-dependent sectors in India.

Recognising the need for coordinated intervention, the DGFT has constituted an Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG) dedicated to supply chain resilience.

Objective of the Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG)

1.Monitoring Global Supply Chain Developments

The IMG will closely monitor global developments that may affect:

• Export-oriented sectors
• Critical import dependencies
• Strategic commodities and raw materials

This real-time assessment mechanism is aimed at reducing reaction time and enabling policy-level interventions when necessary.

2.Sector-Wise Vulnerability Assessment

The IMG will:

• Assess sector-wise export vulnerabilities
• Identify critical import risks
• Evaluate exposure to geopolitical disruptions

This structured evaluation will help prioritize sectors requiring immediate mitigation support.

3.Inter-Ministerial Coordination

The Group will facilitate coordination between:

• Relevant Ministries
• Government Departments
• Regulatory Authorities

Such coordination ensures faster resolution of bottlenecks affecting exporters and importers.

4.Stakeholder Engagement

The IMG will actively engage with:

• Export Promotion Councils
• Trade bodies
• Industry stakeholders

Trade and industry stakeholders are encouraged to report specific issues relating to supply chain disruptions to:

adg1-dgft@gov.in

These inputs will be consolidated for examination and coordinated response.

Internal Coordination Mechanism within DGFT

An internal coordination framework has also been established within DGFT to enable:

• Real-time tracking of trade-related issues
• Faster inter-agency communication
• Structured monitoring and escalation

This indicates a shift toward a more technology-enabled and responsive trade governance framework.

Why This Matters for Exporters and Importers

For businesses engaged in international trade, this development is significant because:

• It strengthens institutional oversight of supply chain risks
• It enables early identification of disruptions
• It improves coordination across government bodies
• It provides a direct communication channel to raise concerns

Exporters in sectors such as manufacturing, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, textiles, electronics, and strategic goods may particularly benefit from this structured intervention.

Note:

This Trade Notice has been issued with the approval of the Competent Authority and reflects the Government’s proactive policy approach to protect India’s export ecosystem amid evolving global uncertainties.

Strategic Implications for Businesses

Companies engaged in cross-border trade should:

• Conduct internal supply chain risk assessments
• Map critical import dependencies
• Diversify sourcing where feasible
• Maintain close coordination with Export Promotion Councils
• Promptly escalate disruption-related issues to DGFT

Early reporting and structured documentation of issues can facilitate quicker policy-level responses.

Conclusion

The operationalisation of the Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG) for Supply Chain Resilience marks a strategic step toward strengthening India’s trade security architecture. By institutionalizing monitoring, coordination, and stakeholder engagement, the Government aims to ensure continuity in exports and reduce exposure to global disruptions.

For exporters and importers, this development underscores the importance of proactive compliance, risk mapping, and timely communication with regulatory authorities.

As global trade dynamics continue to evolve, such coordinated mechanisms will play a crucial role in sustaining India’s export competitiveness and supply chain stability.

Notification Reference:  DGFT
Trade notice No.30/2025-26
03/03/2026