Amb. Ujal Singh Bhatia

Born in India on 15 April 1950, Amb. Ujal Singh Bhatia is currently an independent consultant and academic engaged in developing a policy framework for Indian agricultural investments overseas, while at the same time working with the Commonwealth Secretariat on multilateral trade issues. From 2004 to 2010, Mr. Bhatia was India’s Permanent Representative to the WTO. During his tenure as Permanent Representative, he was an active participant in the dispute settlement process, representing India in a number of dispute settlement cases both as a complainant and respondent in disputes relating to anti-dumping, as well as taxation and import duty issues. He also has adjudicatory experience having served as a WTO dispute settlement panelist. Mr. Bhatia previously served as Joint Secretary in the Indian Ministry of Commerce, where he focused on the legal aspects of international trade. During this period, he was also a Member of the Appellate Committee under the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act. The Committee heard appeals of exporters and importers against the orders of the Director General Foreign Trade. Amb. Bhatia was also Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and held various positions in the public and private sectors of the Indian state of Orissa.