MFN Principle Under Strain: Experts Discuss WTO’s 30-Year Journey at HNLU International Colloquium

Raipur | February 6, 2026

Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU), Raipur, hosted a high-level International Colloquium on “Global Trade Careers, the WTO’s 30-Year Legacy, and Future Pathways”, bringing together leading voices from international trade law, policy, and diplomacy. The one-day pre-summit event focused on the evolving global trade regime, career opportunities, and challenges facing the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Warning on Erosion of MFN Principle

The Chief Guest, Prof. James Nedumpara, Head of the Centre for Trade and Investment Law (CTIL), IIFT, cautioned that the Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) principle—a cornerstone of the WTO framework—is facing gradual erosion in contemporary trade practices.

Key Observations by Prof. James Nedumpara:

• Growing deviation from MFN commitments in global trade
• Rise of preferential and regional trade arrangements
• Challenges to multilateralism in an increasingly fragmented trade order
• Need for renewed commitment to WTO principles

WTO at 30: India’s Changing Role in Global Trade

In his inaugural address, Prof. (Dr.) V. C. Vivekanandan, Vice-Chancellor, HNLU, reflected on three decades of the WTO’s evolution.

Highlights from the Vice-Chancellor’s Address:

• WTO outcomes have not fully matched its original structural objectives
• India’s position has evolved from caution to central leadership in WTO discourse
• Importance of aligning institutional reforms with developing country interests

About the International Colloquium

The Colloquium was organised by HNLU through its Centre for WTO & WIPO Studies, School of Law and Technology, in collaboration with:

• WTO Young Trade Leaders Programme
• Centre for Trade and Investment Law (CTIL), IIFT
• WTO Chairs Programme, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India

Theme:

“Global Trade Careers, the WTO’s 30-Year Legacy, and Future Pathways”

Distinguished Speakers and Thought Leadership

The event featured eminent experts from academia, legal practice, and international policy:

• Prof. James Nedumpara – Head, CTIL, IIFT
• Ms. Ameeta Verma Duggal – Founding Partner, DGS Associates
• Ms. Aarushi Shrivastav – WTO Young Trade Leader (India) & Policy Analyst, Global Counsel

Key Insights Shared:

• Continued relevance and institutional resilience of the WTO
• Importance of early exposure to global trade institutions
• Emerging opportunities in trade policy, law, and diplomacy

Interactive Session on Global Trade Careers

An interactive session with Ms. Aarushi Shrivastav provided students and young professionals with practical guidance.

Discussion Points:

• WTO Young Trade Leaders Programme
• Career pathways in international trade policy
• Skills required for global trade and economic diplomacy
• Transition from academic learning to policy practice

Panel Discussion: WTO Evolution and Career Pathways

A focused panel discussion titled “Global Trade Careers, the WTO’s Institutional Evolution & Beyond” was held.

Panelists and Focus Areas:

• Dr. Ankit Awasthi (HNLU) – Institutional evolution of the WTO
• Ms. Aarushi Shrivastav – Careers within WTO and global policy institutions
• Ms. Aditi Warrier (DGS Associates) – Opportunities in international trade law practice

The session concluded with a dynamic Q&A segment involving students and researchers.

Major Announcements and Launches

The Colloquium also witnessed several important academic and institutional milestones:

• 🏆 Declaration of results of the 2nd Kautilya Society HNLU Article Writing Competition, 2025
• 📘 Release of the book “Trade, Business & Sustainability”
• 📄 Launch of brochure for the 1st International Trade Law Summit – “The WTO@30: Reimagining Multilateralism in International Trade Law” (scheduled for October 2–4, 2026)
• 🌍 Launch of the International Network for Trade Advocacy, Development and Research (IN-TADR)

Organising Team and Acknowledgements

• Welcome Address: Dr. Deepak Kumar Srivastava, Registrar (I/c), HNLU
• Faculty Organisers:
  • Dr. Ankit Awasthi
  • Dr. Mayank Srivastava
  • Ms. Urvi Shrivastava
  • Dr. Ankit Singh
• Student Coordinators:
  • Kruthika Senthil Kumar
  • Sanjana Ramnath

Their collective efforts ensured the smooth and successful conduct of the Colloquium.

Conclusion

The HNLU International Colloquium served as a significant platform for critical reflection on the WTO’s legacy, the future of multilateral trade, and career opportunities in global trade law and policy. The discussions reinforced the urgent need to preserve core WTO principles while adapting to new economic realities.