The India Africa Trade Council has announced an administrative update concerning its honorary representation in Maharashtra, with the appointment of Kshitij Gupta as Honorary Trade Commissioner for Maharashtra concluding with immediate effect.

The Council said the decision follows an administrative review after it received a representation concerning matters associated with Kshitij Gupta during his period of association with the organisation. The Council clarified that the conclusion of the appointment is an administrative decision concerning the honorary position and should not be interpreted as a determination regarding the accuracy of any matters raised in the representation.

Honorary representatives of trade and business organisations generally serve as institutional points of contact and support engagement with businesses, professionals, industry representatives and other stakeholders. The Council said maintaining clarity around such appointments is important to ensure that communications made in its name are appropriately authorised and aligned with its institutional framework.

The representation received by the Council was submitted by Ms. Vassundhara Nattes and referred to certain interactions and communications involving Kshitij Gupta. The Council stated that it has not independently established the matters referred to in the representation. Any issues that require formal examination remain subject to the procedures and jurisdiction of the appropriate authorities.

The Council has therefore clarified that, following the conclusion of the appointment, Kshitij Gupta is no longer authorised to use the designation of Honorary Trade Commissioner for Maharashtra or to represent himself as acting on behalf of the India Africa Trade Council in that capacity.

The clarification is intended to provide certainty to businesses, organisations and other stakeholders who may interact with individuals representing themselves as associated with the Council. Any communication or representation made by Kshitij Gupta in the name or on behalf of the Council after the effective date of the appointment’s conclusion will not be considered authorised by the organisation.

The Council said its decision should also be viewed in the context of maintaining clear institutional roles and responsible representation across its network. Honorary positions involve representing an organisation before external stakeholders, making it important for organisations to periodically review appointments and ensure that their current representatives are clearly identified.

The India Africa Trade Council has also reiterated that it respects established legal and administrative processes. The organisation said it will cooperate with competent authorities if information or clarification is formally sought through appropriate channels.

The Council did not make any determination regarding criminal liability, legal responsibility or wrongdoing arising from the matters referred to in the representation. It said that such questions, where relevant, can only be considered by the competent authorities through the applicable legal and administrative processes.

The administrative update does not affect the Council’s broader institutional activities in Maharashtra or its engagement with businesses and stakeholders. The organisation said it remains focused on supporting commercial dialogue, business connections and cooperation between India and African markets.

The India Africa Trade Council has been involved in facilitating dialogue between businesses, entrepreneurs, trade representatives and other stakeholders interested in India-Africa commercial relations. Its activities include institutional engagement, business networking, trade-related discussions and efforts to strengthen connections between organisations operating across the two regions.

The Council said its focus remains on creating a structured platform for businesses and stakeholders seeking opportunities for engagement with African markets and Indian enterprises. Maharashtra, as one of India’s major commercial and industrial centres, remains an important market for such interactions.

The conclusion of the Maharashtra honorary appointment will allow the Council to maintain a clear distinction between its current authorised representatives and individuals whose appointments have concluded. The organisation said stakeholders can continue to approach its Secretariat for confirmation regarding official representatives and authorised institutional communications.

The Council also encouraged organisations and individuals engaging with its representatives to rely on official communications and current appointment information when establishing institutional contact.

With the appointment now concluded, the Council is expected to continue its activities in Maharashtra through its authorised institutional channels while maintaining its broader focus on India-Africa trade and business engagement.

The India Africa Trade Council said it remains committed to responsible representation, transparent institutional communication and continued cooperation with businesses and stakeholders working to strengthen commercial relations between India and African markets.

Issued by:
Secretariat
India Africa Trade Council

Disclaimer: This report is based on information concerning an administrative change in an honorary appointment. References to matters raised in a representation are attributed to the concerned party and have not been independently established by the Council. This report does not make any finding of wrongdoing or legal liability.