The Centre for Constitution and Public Policy, University Institute of Legal Studies (UILS), Panjab University, organized a Special Lecture on “Trade, Tariffs and International Law” on 19th March 2026 at the Moot Court Hall, UILS. The programme commenced with an address by Prof. (Dr.) Shruti Bedi, Director, UILS, who highlighted the growing prominence of international trade in contemporary discourse. She welcomed the gathering, emphasized the importance of understanding global trade frameworks,
Dr. Sital Sharma, Faculty Co-ordinator of the event and Host, introduced the distinguished speaker, Prof. (Dr.) Prabhash Ranjan, Professor and Vice Dean (Research), Jindal Global Law School, Sonipat.
In his keynote address, Prof. Ranjan observed that international trade has shifted “from being on page 14 of newspapers to page 1,” underscoring its increasing relevance. He traced the evolution of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) to the World Trade Organization (WTO), highlighting the role of negotiations in reducing tariff barriers. He distinguished between tariff and non-tariff barriers, noting the growing importance of regulatory measures such as quality standards, alongside the renewed focus on tariffs in recent years.
Prof. Ranjan also elaborated on the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) principle and its exceptions, including Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), while clarifying that GATT continues to operate alongside the WTO framework. The session concluded with an engaging interaction, enriching participants’ understanding of international trade law.
The event was organised under the guidance and leadership of Patron-in-Chief, Prof. (Dr.) Renu Vig, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, Panjab University; Patron Prof. (Dr.) Shruti Bedi, Director, UILS. It was hosted and led by Faculty Co-ordinator Dr. Sital Sharma.
It was organised with the efforts of an organising team led by Student Co-ordinators: Mr. Praney Goyal and Mr. Tej Partap Singh Gill; and Event Heads Ms. Akshita, Ms. Amulya Garg, Ms. Jasmine, Ms. Jahnvi, Ms. Ravleen Kaur, Ms. Taran.
