Mr Singh has liberal views on trade, and his cabinet shuffle notably got rid of the commerce minister, who was widely blamed for scuppering trade talks under the Doha round in Geneva last July.

ECONOMIST: Banyan

He thinks the mood now feels more like 1982, when earlier efforts in Geneva to launch a new round came to nought because France blocked any serious discussion of agriculture.

ECONOMIST: Trade

Officials in Geneva worry that these are sapping energy from the Doha round.

ECONOMIST: World trade

Meanwhile, a separate round of talks has started, also in Geneva.

ECONOMIST: The Koreas