Trade Investment and External Relations (TIER)
In keeping with the founding mission of linking India with the world, trade, investment and external relations have been a core area of research and dialogue activities at ICRIER since inception. As global trade navigates an era shaped by shifting alliances, rising economic nationalism, and evolving sustainability standards, TIER charts a strategic course for India's external economic engagement. The vertical undertakes policy-oriented research across a wide spectrum of issues — bilateral and multilateral trade agreements, foreign direct investment, global value chain integration, trade facilitation, non-tariff barriers, gender dimensions of trade, and India's economic partnerships with key regions. The TIER team combines deep domain expertise with a collaborative, multi-stakeholder approach, regularly engaging with ministries, multilateral bodies, industry federations, and international institutions.
In pursuance of India’s commitment to play an active role in the BIMSTEC, Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, at the 5th BIMSTEC Summit in March 2022, announced the start of a program to increase the awareness and capacity of officials in the field of trade facilitation. The TIER vertical at ICRIER is the nodal implementing agency for this important capacity building program in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB).