New Delhi, Jan 31: The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) is significantly influencing the development of future leaders and enhancing India's role in the international trading arena, stated Piyush Goyal, the Minister of Commerce and Industry, on Saturday.

IIFT has secured the top position in the 'Times B-School Ranking 2026', reaffirming its status as a leading institution in management education, particularly in international trade and global business.

Goyal highlighted this achievement as a reflection of IIFT’s ongoing commitment to equipping students with essential skills, vision, and critical competencies.

Rajesh Agrawal, the Commerce Secretary and Chancellor of IIFT, noted that the institute's advancements are indicative of its robust academic foundation, growing global perspective, and dedication to excellence.

“IIFT plays a vital role in supporting India’s ambition to become a global leader in international trade and aligns with the vision of Viksit Bharat by developing management professionals who are globally competent and aligned with national trade, economic, and strategic goals,” he emphasized.

Founded in 1963, IIFT is recognized as a deemed-to-be-university under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

As a premier institution focused on international trade and business, IIFT provides flagship MBA programs, executive education, and doctoral research, contributing to India's advancement in global commerce and trade policy.

The institute operates campuses in Delhi, Kolkata, Kakinada, and GIFT City, and is set to launch its first offshore campus in Dubai.

Professor Rakesh Mohan Joshi, Vice Chancellor of IIFT, expressed gratitude to Goyal and Agrawal for their vision and steadfast support, committing to enhance excellence in management education in international business by improving academic rigor, policy relevance, industry collaboration, and international outreach, while integrating contemporary realities into its teaching, research, and operations to establish it as a world-class institution.

Last September, IIFT launched the International Trade Negotiations Programme aimed at officials from the Department of Commerce. This initiative, organized by IIFT’s Centre for International Negotiations, is designed to enhance the negotiation skills of government officials and strengthen India’s engagement in global trade.