India Leads 2nd Asia-Pacific E-commerce Policy Summit

The 2nd Asia-Pacific E-commerce Policy Summit concluded successfully in New Delhi, reaffirming regional cooperation to accelerate digital trade and cross-border e-commerce. Organized by the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), with support from the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Government of India, the two-day event convened policymakers, industry leaders, and experts from across Asia-Pacific to promote inclusive, paperless, and technology-driven trade. MSL, Amazon, and the Express Industry Council of India joined as Knowledge Partners.

Building on the success of its 2024 debut, the summit has become a premier platform for policy dialogue on digital trade facilitation, paperless commerce, and MSME participation in global value chains. It highlights India’s growing leadership in advancing technology-enabled trade and inclusive economic growth across the region.

In his keynote address, Dr. Sasmit Patra, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, emphasized,

“E-commerce must become a two-way street, connecting India’s villages to global markets. Its true power lies in enabling livelihoods, empowering women, and ensuring inclusion through interoperability and innovation. Democratizing FinTech and data governance will be key to building an equitable digital trade ecosystem.”

He further suggested simplifying export policies for MSMEs by enabling intermediaries to hold inventory on their behalf to facilitate global shipments.

Ms. Caralyn Khongwar Deshmukh, Additional Secretary, Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, remarked,

“E-commerce platforms have become vital gateways to sustainable livelihoods. By removing intermediaries and geographical barriers, digital marketplaces empower sellers to reach customers directly, set competitive prices, and retain a greater share of income.”

In his welcome address, Dr. Shekhar Aiyar, Director & CE, ICRIER, said,

“The Asia-Pacific E-Commerce Policy Summit is a timely opportunity to bring together policymakers, industry leaders, and experts to shape the future of digital trade in our region. Our collective focus must be on inclusivity, empowering women, MSMEs, and marginalized communities to participate fully in digital and cross-border trade.”

Mr. Pramod Bhasin, Chairman, ICRIER, added,

“As India moves toward its Viksit Bharat@2047 vision, trade, technology, and skills will drive our next phase of growth. The Summit provides a platform to build partnerships, strengthen trust in digital trade, and advance the Sustainable Development Goals. Collaboration among governments and businesses will be key to fostering innovation and empowering MSMEs and women in global commerce.”

Senior representatives from countries including Cambodia, Australia, and UNESCAP joined the summit alongside policymakers, think tanks, and business leaders to discuss strategies for inclusive digital trade, MSME empowerment, and regional integration aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Two key publications were unveiled:

• ICRIER–RIS Joint Study Report: “India and the Framework Agreement on Cross-Border Paperless Trade in Asia and the Pacific (CPTA): State of Play and Way Forward”, co-authored by Dr. Arpita Mukherjee (ICRIER), Dr. Prabir De (RIS), and Mr. Tahseen Ahmad Khan (UNNExT).
• Amazon Global Selling’s Exports Digest 2025: Highlighting India’s growing e-commerce export potential driven by MSMEs.

Mr. Srinidhi Kalvapudi, Head of India Global Selling, Amazon India, stated,

“Between 2015 and 2025, Amazon has enabled over $20 billion in cumulative e-commerce exports from India, with a goal of reaching $80 billion by 2030. The Asia-Pacific E-commerce Policy Summit strengthens partnerships that will simplify global selling and expand opportunities for MSMEs beyond metro markets.”

Across two days, seven thematic sessions explored key aspects of digital trade transformation:

• Women’s digital empowerment across regional value chains (hosted by UNESCAP)
• Enabling seller growth through logistics innovation and MSME integration
• Investment opportunities in technology, AI, and digital infrastructure
• Frameworks for cross-border paperless trade and CPTA implementation
• Inclusive growth through women entrepreneurship
• Building consumer trust via secure cross-border payments
• AI regulation and its impact on the digital economy

Representatives from over 12 countries, including Australia, Bhutan, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam, joined Indian officials from the Ministry of Textiles, CBIC, and NITI Aayog. The summit concluded with a shared vision for a borderless, inclusive, and sustainable digital trade ecosystem—positioning India as a key connector for the Asia-Pacific’s digital economy.