3rd Session of India-Uganda Joint Trade Committee

Context

The 3rd Session of the India-Uganda Joint Trade Committee (JTC) was held on March 25-26, 2025, at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi. This meeting marked a significant milestone in strengthening bilateral trade and investment relations between India and Uganda after a gap of 23 years. The session aimed to address trade bottlenecks, explore new areas of cooperation, and enhance economic collaboration in various sectors.

Key Participants

The meeting was inaugurated by Shri Jay Bhadoo, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, India. Distinguished attendees included:

• India’s High Commissioner to Uganda: H.E. Upender Singh Rawat.
• Uganda’s High Commissioner to India: H.E. Amb. Prof. Joyce Kakuramatsi Kikafunda.
• Co-Chairs: Ms. Priya Nair (Economic Advisor, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, India) and Amb. Elly Kamahungye Kafeero (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Uganda).

The Ugandan delegation comprised officials from multiple ministries and agencies such as:

• Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives.
• Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries.
• Ministry of ICT and National Guidance.
• Civil Aviation Authority.
• Uganda Airlines.

Objectives of the Meeting

The primary objectives of the JTC session were:

• Reviewing Bilateral Trade: Both countries agreed that the current trade volume is inadequate to demonstrate the true partnership potential of their bilateral ties and agreed upon efforts to expand and diversify trade.
• Trade Barriers Removal: The two nations deliberated on removal of non-tariff obstacles and alignment of regulatory standards.
• Outreach on New Cooperation Sectors: The priority sectors of interest comprise mining, agriculture, MSMEs, health, pharmaceuticals, digital infrastructure, and electric vehicles.
• Use Duty-Free Tariff Preference (DFTP) Mechanism: Discussion on modalities to increase Uganda’s exportable commodities under India’s DFTP scheme.

Key Discussion Points

Bilateral Trade and Investment

Both sides emphasized enhancing trade ties by forming an India-Uganda Joint Business Forum to facilitate industry-level engagement. The discussions identified key commodities for trade expansion:

• Minerals, coffee, cocoa products.
• Pulses, spices, dairy products.
• Essential oils, fruits, vegetables.

Strategic Cooperation in Sectors

Areas highlighted for collaboration included:

• Mining critical minerals like Rare Earth Elements (REE).
• Banking and digital payments (Unified Payments Interface – UPI).
• Pharmaceuticals and healthcare.
• MSME development and rural electrification.

Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs)

Proposals for MoUs were discussed in areas such as:

• Recognition of Indian Pharmacopoeia.
• Public Works & Infrastructure Development.
• Traditional Medicine and Telemedicine.

Achievements and Outcomes

• Strengthening Economic Relations: The deliberations were forward-looking and aimed at fostering deeper economic engagement between the two nations. Both sides agreed to take focused measures to diversify trade while addressing existing challenges.
• Insights into Industrial Ecosystems: On the sidelines of the JTC meeting, the Ugandan delegation visited the Noida Special Economic Zone (SEZ) to understand India’s export ecosystem better.
• Significance for India-Uganda Relations: The JTC serves as a crucial platform for addressing trade challenges and identifying opportunities for collaboration. The renewed commitment displayed during this session reflects the growing partnership between India and Uganda in key economic sectors.

Conclusion

The 3rd Session of the India-Uganda Joint Trade Committee was a landmark event aimed at enhancing bilateral trade relations after decades of limited engagement. With discussions covering diverse sectors like agriculture, mining, health, MSMEs, and digital infrastructure, this meeting has set the stage for deeper economic cooperation between the two nations.

Source: BS

UPSC Mains Practice Question

Q. The 3rd Session of the India-Uganda Joint Trade Committee (JTC) marked a renewed commitment to enhancing bilateral trade and investment after a gap of 23 years. Critically analyze the key outcomes of this session and discuss how such initiatives can strengthen India’s economic diplomacy in Africa.

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