Born: 1994 batch, Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Manipur cadre
Current Position: Secretary, Department of Commerce (effective 30 September 2025, appointed April 2025)
🏛️ Career Highlights
- Began as a 1994-batch IAS officer in the Manipur cadre. Served in various central and state roles prior to elevation.
- Held the post of Additional Secretary in the Department of Commerce before being designated Special Secretary (rank and pay of Secretary) from April to September 2025.
- Appointed Commerce Secretary, succeeding Sunil Barthwal, with effect from 30 September 2025.
🌐 Key Responsibilities
As Commerce Secretary, Shri Agarwal will lead India’s external trade agenda. His mandate includes:
- Steering bilateral trade negotiations, especially with the United States.
- Leading talks under the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework and spearheading discussions toward free trade agreements with ASEAN, Australia, and Peru.
- Overseeing the Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).
- Managing export–import policy formulation and addressing trade-related challenges such as tariff barriers and the trade deficit with China.
- Supporting India’s exports of goods and services, which reached record highs in 2024–25 but faced stagnation in merchandise shipments.
📝 Significance
Shri Agarwal steps into office at a critical juncture—global trade is turbulent due to lingering geopolitical tensions and tariff disruptions. His elevation reflects the government’s trust in his strategic economic negotiation capabilities and leadership in export promotion.