A Key Driver of India's Economic Ambitions

Comprehensive logistics parks, AI-driven custom clearances, and a national logistics e-marketplace will enhance our global competitiveness

- SUMITA DAWRA

In a rapidly evolving global trade environment, it is crucial to prioritize logistics efficiency as a key component of India's strategic framework, alongside investments, trade, and supply chain integration. Strategic infrastructure development and digital innovations can greatly enhance our trade competitiveness whether India aims to serve global markets or deepen supply chain integration.

While India's logistics sector is seeing a transformation, driven by substantially enhanced capital investment in infrastructure, digitalization of services, and regulatory reforms, it is timely to amplify this momentum. This would be relevant for a more efficient inward movement of raw materials and components to manufacturing centers, as well as the outward movement of finished goods to the markets.

In a world impacted by the US tariffs, as well as the window of the 90-day tariffs pause, let us look at new trade opportunities before India. Indian freight forwarders have reported a surge in requests for quotations (RFQs) from domestic companies that are receiving new inquiries from US buyers. To fulfill aspirations of enhanced exports to the US, our largest export market, India's logistics system must be prepared to handle the expected volumes.

It is essential to look beyond immediate developments and adopt a longer-term strategic perspective—especially as we prepare for a bilateral trade agreement with the US, aiming for over $500 billion in bilateral trade by 2030, in line with India's broader export target of $2 trillion by that year.