The nationwide lockdown imposed by Ministry of Home Affairs,
Government of India for a period of 21 days from 25.03.2020 to
14.04.2020 (Phase 1) to contain COVID-19 pandemic in the country,1 and the subsequent extension of
lockdown for the entire country for another 19 days till 03.05.2020
(Phase 2),2 will undoubtedly have
far reaching long-term implications on India's trade and growth
projections. As countries across the globe have cordoned off their
borders in the wake of the pandemic, in March itself India's
merchandise exports reeled from record plummet of 34.6%, imports
dipped to a low 28.7% and trade deficit tapered down to $9.8
billion.3
This article explains the key measures taken by the Directorate
General of Foreign Trade ("DGFT")
operating under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government
of India, and by the Directorate General of Shipping
("DG Shipping"), which operates under
the Ministry of Shipping, Government of India.
