Training Seminar on Diplomacy in International Trade (CDS.01) 
June 28–July 1, 2006 , IIFT Campus, New Delhi, India

Organized by
CUTS Institute for Regulation and Competition (CIRC) In collaboration with
Institute of Trade and Commercial Diplomacy, USA (ITCD); Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, New Delhi (IIFT)

Supported by
Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Department of Commerce, Government of India

The Training Seminar on Diplomacy in International Trade jointly organised by CUTS Institute for Regulation and Competition, Institute for Trade & Commercial Diplomacy and Indian Institute of Foreign Trade and was supported by Ministry of Commerce, Government of India. The four-day training workshop commenced with the inaugural session by Prabir Sengupta, Director, Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, New Delhi and Shrawan Nigam, Consultant, Planning Commission and Fellow, C-CIER on Opportunities & Challenges in a Globalising Economy.

The main objectives of the seminar was to:

– Provide a comprehensive perspective of the global economic system and how it affects trade and investment flows
– Explain the principles and processes of Commercial Diplomacy and contrast with traditional diplomacy
– Impart basic negotiation skills
– Provide exposure to negotiation processes through conducting real case analysis/simulation of trade negotiations
– Explaining the nuances involved in drafting an effective resolution/agreement

The training seminar covered areas related to Commercial Diplomacy i.e. introduction to Effective Commercial Diplomacy, Analytical Framework for Effective Commercial Diplomacy; the Social Structure Dynamics of International Negotiations and the Negotiator’s Dilemma; effective Communication in Commercial Diplomacy – verbal and nonverbal; effective Negotiation in Commercial Diplomacy; Alternate Dispute Settlement and Dispute Settlement at the WTO. There were simulation sessions along with case studies.

The seminar had participation from Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Ministry of Small Scale Industry, Ministry of Textiles, Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources, Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Ministry of External Affairs, CUTS Centre for International Trade and KKWagh Institute of Engineering Education and Research, Nashik, Maharashtra. The seminar was well structured for the Government officials involved in bilateral trade negotiations. The duration of the sessions provided adequate time for discussions and interaction giving the process of learning a wide scope.

Some of the highlights of the event:
– The event was a success in terms of quality of participants, resource persons and logistical arrangements. Everyone had a learning from the seminar be it in terms of knowing more about the subject from the viewpoint of the participants and customising the course module and methodology for conducting such seminars for government officials in future.

– A high point of the seminar was that senior participants found it a good refresher course and were of the opinion that the programme helped them to clarify their views on various subjects.

– Overwhelmingly, the participants looked forward to a sequel to this seminar with introduction of more case studies and group projects.

– The resource persons comprised eminent experts, practitioners and academicians in the field of Commercial Diplomacy and related matters.

– Geza Feketekuty, President, Institute for Trade & Commercial Diplomacy, USA

– Prabir Sengupta, Director, Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, New Delhi

– Shrawan Nigam, Consultant, Planning Commission & Hony. Advisor, CUTS

– Kishan Rana, Senior Fellow, DiploFoundation and Professor Emeritus, Foreign Service Institute, New Delhi

– Suhail Nathani, Partner, Economic Law Practice, Mumbai

– Om Gupta, Dean, Jagannath Institute of Communication and Design, New Delhi

– Rohit Mehtani, International Business Consultant, Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, New Delhi

– Kumkum Sen, Partner, Rajender Narain & Co.