DNLU Jabalpur & IIFT Hosts Book Launch And Panel On WTO And Digital Trade

The launch of the book “WTO and Digital Trade” marks a milestone in the ongoing dialogue on the intersection of international trade law and the rapidly expanding digital economy. Jointly organized by the Centre for Studies in International Trade and International Investment Laws (CITIL), Dharmashastra National Law University (DNLU), Jabalpur and the Centre for WTO Studies (CWS), Centre for Research on International Trade (CRIT), Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, this event is a platform for intellectual exchange and policy-oriented dialogue.

The book examines the evolving legal frameworks of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in the context of digital trade; a field where rapid technological progress often outpaces regulatory mechanisms. With digital platforms, cross-border data flows, and e-commerce transforming global markets, the WTO faces unprecedented challenges in aligning multilateral trade rules with the demands of a digital-first economy.

The book launch will be followed by a panel discussion, bringing together voices in the field of international trade law, policy, and practice. The panel is designed to provide diverse perspectives on the themes covered in “WTO and Digital Trade”, with insights drawn from academia, government, and industry.

The event's objective is not only to introduce the book but also to foster a dialogue on the future trajectory of global digital trade. By bridging the gap between scholarship and policy, it aims to contribute to informed decision-making, international cooperation, and the development of frameworks that can respond to the complexities of the digital economy within the multilateral trading system.

Esteemed Panelist of the Book discussion

• Prof. Abhijit Das International Trade Policy and WTO Expert. Former Head of the Centre for WTO Studies, CRIT, IIFT.
• Prof. (Dr.) James J. Nedumpara Professor and Head, Centre for Trade and Investment Law (CTIL).
• Shri Deepak Maheshwari Senior Policy Advisor, Centre for Social and Economic Progress (CSEP).
• Prof. (Dr.) Murali Kallummal Professor, Centre for WTO Studies (CWS), Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) and Head of Administration, Centre for Research on International Trade (CRIT).
• Dr. Gargi Chakrabarty Dean of Faculty & Associate Professor (Law), Dharmashastra National Law University, Jabalpur.

Patrons & Advisors

• Dr. Pritam Banerjee Head & Professor, Centre for WTO Studies, Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), New Delhi (Chief Patron & Advisor)
• Prof. (Dr.) Manoj Kumar Sinha Vice-Chancellor, Dharmashastra National Law University (DNLU), Jabalpur (Co-Patron & Advisor)

Event Details

• Date: September 25, 2025
• Time: 04:30 PM IST
• Venue: New Delhi
• Mode: Offline
• Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1hFI7pvrOvOONGctx0mm2D7lVrKEYJaOIN4JnsIFOYRE/viewform?edit_requested=true
• Entry: Participation in the event is free but strictly by prior registration only. Interested participants are required to complete their registration on or before 15th September 2025.

Contact
1. Mr. Utkarsh K. Mishra Director, CITIL & Assistant Professor, DNLU, Jabalpur, Email: utkarsh@mpdnlu.ac.in | Contact: +91 7905017038

2. Ms. Monika Consultant (Legal), CWS, CRIT, IIFT, New Delhi, Email: monika_cws@iift.edu | Contact: +91 9654969371

3. Dr. Amit Randev Consultant (Legal), CWS, CRIT, IIFT, New Delhi, Email: amitr_cws@iift.edu | Contact: +91 8171680000