At the 5th Kautilya Economic Conclave in New Delhi, PK Mishra, the Principal Secretary to the Indian Prime Minister, addressed the evolving landscape of international trade. Mishra emphasized that nations are moving away from traditional trade models, increasingly utilizing tools such as tariffs and export controls to achieve strategic national objectives.

According to Mishra, this shift in trade policy is not merely an economic adjustment but a fundamental change in how countries interact on the global stage. He argued that these protectionist or strategic measures are contributing to a climate of heightened uncertainty for policymakers and businesses worldwide. While the address focused on the challenges posed by these developments, it underscored the reality that trade is now deeply intertwined with national security and geopolitical strategy. The remarks reflect a broader observation among economic analysts that global supply chains and trade agreements are being reshaped by domestic political priorities rather than purely market-driven forces.