Theme: Exports | Poor logistics and non-tariff barriers continue to hinder India's export growth

In this episode of the State of the Economy podcast, businessline’s Amiti Sen talks to Biswajit Dhar, former Professor, JNU, and Distinguished Professor, Council for Social Development, about the dynamic challenges and opportunities shaping India’s trade landscape as 2024 draws to a close. The discussion navigates through geopolitical turbulence, export performance, and the outlook for 2025.  Dhar analyses India’s export resilience despite global uncertainties, such as the Russia-Ukraine war and the West Asia crisis. While noting impressive export growth in sectors during October, he emphasises the patchy performance across industries. He highlights the underwhelming recovery of India’s garment sector, especially in light of opportunities presented by economic disruptions in Bangladesh.  The conversation also turns to the implications of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s policies, which are poised to impact global trade. Dhar emphasises the potential benefits of a "China Plus One" strategy, particularly in electronics, but warns of challenges due to domestic logistical bottlenecks and behind-the-border trade barriers. He stresses the importance of government and industry collaboration to capitalise on emerging opportunities.  The podcast also reflects on the significance of India leveraging local manufacturing capabilities and expanding its footprint in global markets, particularly in the U.S. and Europe. The conversation also touches on the role of global agencies and logistics companies in predicting a positive trade trajectory for 2025.  (Host: Amiti Sen Producer: Amitha Rajkumar) About the State of the Economy podcast India’s economy has been hailed as a bright spot amid the general gloom that seems to have enveloped the rest of the world. But several sectors continue to stutter even as others seem set to fire on all cylinders.