The Medical Technology Association of India (MTaI) has called for closer alignment between India’s Free Trade Agreement (FTA) framework and domestic policies governing regulation, procurement, investment and workforce mobility to ensure that expanding trade partnerships translate into stronger healthcare outcomes and faster patient access to advanced medical technologies.
The call was made at MTaI’s closed-door roundtable, held as part of its 10th anniversary celebrations, “FTA Frameworks in an Evolving Global Order: Shaping the Healthcare Roadmap” which brought together policymakers, diplomatic representatives from Embassies of Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, Saudi Arabia, Denmark, Luxembourg, Sri-Lanka, trade experts and MedTech industry leaders.
Opening the roundtable, Pavan Choudary, Chairman, MTaI, said, “Geopolitics increasingly shapes commerce today. Trade corridors and supply chains are as important to understand as business itself. The world is not deglobalising; it is moving towards minilateralism, with regional pacts and FTAs increasingly influencing how companies will source, manufacture and invest.
He further added, “The benefits of trade agreements will depend on four priorities: effective implementation of tariff provisions, removal of non-tariff barriers, mobility of services and skilled professionals, and stronger institutional support and investment protection. Since its inception, MTaI has consistently advocated that India should not only Make in India, but also Design in India, Heal in India, Train in India and Test in India, and this coheres with the evolving FTA scenario.”
The roundtable deliberated on the practical measures required to translate India’s expanding FTA network into stronger healthcare outcomes and a globally competitive MedTech ecosystem. Discussions focused on ensuring that trade liberalisation is complemented by timely customs notifications, consistent product classification, simpler rules of origin, greater regulatory cooperation and more predictable implementation of trade commitments.
Deliberations also examined the alignment of trade commitments with public procurement frameworks, including the Global Tender Enquiry (GTE) mechanism, while emphasising that tariff reduction alone cannot deliver meaningful market access unless supported by clear regulatory pathways, faster product approvals and stronger coordination between regulatory authorities.
Speaking at the roundtable, Dr Gyanendra Nath Singh, Advisor to the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and Former Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), emphasised the importance of a science-driven regulatory ecosystem that accelerates innovation while safeguarding patient interests. He said, “India has already put in place provisions for the fast-track approval of innovative medical technologies. Going forward, industry proposals must remain ethical, science-led and evidence-based. Our objective is to build an ecosystem that reduces costs, improves quality and simplifies regulatory processes, enabling India to emerge as a global hub for medical-device manufacturing and supply.”
Marten Frankby, Counsellor- Trade, Economic and Cultural Affairs, Embassy of Sweden, remarked that, “It’s great to see progress in discussions around healthcare within the broader India-EU FTA context. We look forward to continued engagement and exploring opportunities for collaboration going forward.”
The roundtable also focused on strengthening India’s component supply chain and supporting Indian manufacturers seeking access to international markets.
Jitendra Sharma, CEO, AMTZ, said India’s ability to benefit from FTAs would depend as much on strengthening domestic capabilities as on expanding trade agreements. He said, “Building a resilient component supply chain is as important as signing an FTA. India must also strengthen support for international regulatory certification, create more agile regulatory pathways and improve export readiness to help Indian companies compete globally. Ultimately, the success of an FTA should be measured not only by trade, but by the investments, joint ventures and long-term partnerships it creates.”
The discussion also highlighted the importance of greater mobility of specialised professionals, including engineers, technicians and healthcare professionals involved in the installation, servicing and clinical use of medical technologies. Participants also underscored the need for stronger cooperation on qualifications, training standards and credentialing, while noting that MTaI member companies collectively train nearly 250,000 healthcare professionals every year.
Sharing the industry perspective, Sanjay Bhutani, Director, MTaI & CEO, Bausch + Lomb India, underscored the importance of translating trade policy into predictable implementation. He said, “Signing an FTA is only the beginning; its true value lies in timely and effective implementation. The often-encountered post-signature delays can dilute the intended benefits, while countries that move swiftly are better positioned to attract investment and strengthen trade partnerships. Faster approval pathways, greater regulatory efficiency and predictable implementation will enable companies to plan with confidence, accelerate access to innovation and ensure that the benefits of trade agreements reach patients sooner.”
The roundtable further highlighted the need for FTAs to remain active through joint monitoring mechanisms, regulator-to-regulator engagement and dedicated platforms to resolve implementation challenges.
As MTaI marks ten years of advancing India’s MedTech ecosystem, the Association reaffirmed its commitment to working with government, regulators, industry and global partners to foster evidence-based policymaking, accelerate innovation and strengthen patient access to advanced medical technologies.