New Delhi: The government is working towards securing legally binding commitments on professional services under free trade agreements (FTAs) to unlock overseas opportunities for Indian professionals, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said at a Chintan Shivir organised by the Department of Commerce on Tuesday.
Addressing the event themed “Expanding Global Horizons: Opportunities for Indian Professionals”, Agrawal underlined the growing importance of services trade to India’s economic growth, noting its higher domestic value addition compared to merchandise exports. He said India’s demographic dividend offers significant potential to meet rising global demand for professional services, provided domestic ecosystems are aligned with global standards.
The Chintan Shivir, organised in association with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and the Services Exports Promotion Council, focused on preparing Indian professionals for global markets, strengthening international mobility through Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs), and leveraging FTAs to boost exports of professional services.
Discussions highlighted the need for regulatory reforms, skill upgradation aligned with emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, and greater openness in international trade in professional services to enhance competitiveness. Participants also examined ways to better utilise and assess the effectiveness of MRAs, including defining clear outcome metrics and making India’s regulatory frameworks more ‘recognition-ready’.
Senior representatives from professional bodies, including ICAI, the Indian Nursing Council and the Council of Architecture, shared sector-specific perspectives. Best practices such as international chapters, certification programmes, simulation labs and language training were cited as key enablers for global integration of Indian professionals.
The Department of Commerce said it will work with stakeholders to take forward the action points identified at the Chintan Shivir, as part of a broader strategy to expand India’s professional services exports and deepen integration with global markets.