Kolkata, June 18, 2025 — In a landmark initiative aimed at strengthening India’s engagement with the Commonwealth and fostering deeper global trade partnerships, the India Commonwealth Trade Council (ICTC) Desk was officially inaugurated in Kolkata, a city historically recognized as India’s gateway to global commerce.
The event witnessed a distinguished gathering of diplomats, trade leaders, government officials, and business stakeholders. Dignitaries included Her Excellency Prof. Joyce Kakuramatsi Kikafunda, High Commissioner of Uganda to India; Mr. Kevin Goh, Deputy Consul General of Australia in Kolkata; and Mr. Cedric Crowley, Acting High Commissioner of South Africa. Their presence underlined a unified commitment to a shared Commonwealth vision of economic growth, cooperation, and innovation.
Other participating countries included representatives from Namibia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Armenia, the United Kingdom, and the Kingdom of Tonga, showcasing the expanding global footprint of ICTC and India’s evolving trade diplomacy.
In a show of domestic institutional support, senior officials from Indian agencies including the Jute Board of India and the Mayor-in-Charge of Kolkata Municipal Corporation attended the launch, reflecting strong state-level backing for the initiative.
Established under the umbrella of the Indian Economic Trade Organization (IETO), the India Commonwealth Trade Council (ICTC) is a registered body working across 56 Commonwealth nations to promote trade, investment, and policy cooperation. Over the years, ICTC has built a wide network of partners both within India and overseas, working relentlessly to strengthen the Commonwealth’s economic arm.
Dr. Asif Iqbal, President of IETO, remarked, “Kolkata has always held a historic position in India’s trade narrative. Today, we are not just celebrating a launch—we are activating a platform that will power economic connectivity between India and the wider Commonwealth. This Desk will be the catalyst for collaborative growth across continents.”
The inauguration was also marked by the signing of two significant Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs)—one focusing on emerging technologies, and another aimed at cross-border collaboration in defence and strategic technologies. These agreements signal a shift from vision to execution and align with ICTC’s objective to facilitate innovation-led, future-facing partnerships.
A highlight of the event was the launch of a book by H.E. Prof. Joyce Kikafunda, titled “Triumph Over Adversity: My Extraordinary Life’s Journey”. The memoir chronicles her inspirational rise from modest beginnings to becoming one of Uganda’s most respected diplomats and women leaders. The book was received with admiration by the audience, with many lauding its powerful message of resilience and transformation.
The dignitaries present reiterated their shared commitment to strengthening economic engagement among Commonwealth countries. Her Excellency Prof. Joyce Kikafunda praised India’s leadership in advancing south-south cooperation and noted that the ICTC Desk would help bring Commonwealth countries closer through “trust, innovation, and mutual respect.” Mr. Kevin Goh, Deputy Consul General of Australia in Kolkata, highlighted Eastern India’s untapped potential and affirmed Australia’s commitment to building stronger partnerships through this platform. Mr. Cedric Crowley, Acting High Commissioner of South Africa, remarked, “Trade isn’t just about numbers. It’s about dignity, inclusion, and shared prosperity. The ICTC Desk exemplifies what purposeful diplomacy can achieve.” Adding to this, Dr. Arnob Bhattacharjee, Trade Commissioner for the India Commonwealth Trade Council, emphasized that the Desk is “not a symbolic gesture but a practical platform for actionable trade linkages, investment facilitation, and meaningful collaboration among countries.” Offering further international support, Mr. Virendra Sharma, Former Member of Parliament in the United Kingdom and Chair of the Indo-British All-Party Parliamentary Group, stated, “Future UK economic growth depends on access to new and growing markets. Mechanisms like the ICTC Desk are vital to ensuring that trade is inclusive and long-lasting.”
The ICTC has previously participated in the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2022 in Rwanda, and CHOGM 2024 in Samoa, further solidifying its role as a trusted and active participant in Commonwealth economic dialogues.
As the Desk begins full operations from Kolkata, it is set to host trade delegations, support MSMEs and startups, organize investment forums, and work closely with embassies and chambers to unlock new trade opportunities. With robust diplomatic presence, intercontinental collaboration, and Indian institutional support, the ICTC Desk is poised to serve as a key catalyst for sustainable and inclusive global trade.
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