This book analyses India's trade policy evolution in the last two decades in the broad context of trends and patterns in global trade and in particular, with reference to the emergence of global value chains (GVCs). Through an in-depth analysis of its trade policy evolution in the 2000s, the author explains India's limited share of global merchandise trade, especially manufacturing trade and relatively low GVC integration. The book discusses India's trade policy, pattern and global trade participation not just in the comparative context of China as is true of most analyses relating to the Indian economy, economic reforms and trade liberalization in India but also in the context of regional economies like Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Bangladesh and other emerging market economies (EMEs) that have successfully integrated with GVCs/ RVCs in the period under reference. Progress and nature of India's value chain participation relative to other economies has been evaluated in this context. The book further examines policy developments with respect to traditional trade measures like tariffs and export schemes, trade and GVC related policies in special economic zones (SEZs) as well as GVC-facilitating policy instruments such as regional/ free trading agreements (RTAs/FTAs) and investment treaties. Three sectoral case studies - automobiles, textiles and apparel and electronics - are presented to examine India's participation in these dynamic GVC intensive sectors. An important study of one of the fastest growing economies in the world for almost two decades, this book will be of substantial interest to academics and policymakers in the fields of Economics, International Economics, Foreign Policy, Economic Relations, Economic Diplomacy, Indian- Southeast/East Asian Economics.

South Asia today is among the most unstable regions in the world, riddled by both intra- and inter-state conflict. This book presents a comprehensive technical analysis of the trade-conflict relationship within the region, and explores how South Asia demonstrates underperformance of its potential for economic integration. Using the gravity model framework, the book highlights quantitative estimates of the cost of conflict in terms of loss of trade for South Asia. Other variables representative of political and economic regimes are also included to make the model comprehensive, and the book goes on to discuss how the analysis reveals the overriding significance of the India-Pakistan relationship in the regional landscape. It looks at how the results of the econometric exercise reveal the extent to which a common border, when disputed, becomes a barrier rather than a facilitator to trade and, additionally, the extent to which long standing and persistent conflict can debilitate trade relationships. The book is a useful contribution for students and scholars of South Asian studies and international political economy, and assists in formulating policy to correct the anti-home bias that is evident in trade patterns of the South Asian economies.

South Asia today is among the most unstable regions in the world, riddled by both intra- and inter-state conflict. This book presents a comprehensive technical analysis of the trade conflict relationship within the region, and explores how South Asia demonstrates underperformance of its potential for economic integration.

Using the gravity model framework, the book highlights quantitative estimates of the cost of conflict in terms of loss of trade for South Asia. Other variables representative of political and economic regimes are also included to make the model comprehensive, and the book goes on to discuss how the analysis reveals the overriding significance of the India Pakistan relationship in the regional landscape. It looks at how the results of the econometric exercise reveal the extent to which a common border, when disputed, becomes a barrier rather than a facilitator to trade and, additionally, the extent to which long standing and persistent conflict can debilitate trade relationships.

The book is a useful contribution for students and scholars of South Asian studies and international political economy, and assists in formulating policy to correct the anti-home bias that is evident in trade patterns of the South Asian economies.