VIDEO | State Bank of India on resilience and global partnerships - Trade Treasury Payments

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At the Asian Development Bank’s Trade & Supply Chain Finance Program (TSCFP) Awards in Singapore, Trade Treasury Payments spoke with Deepak Kaushik, Regional Head – East Asia at State Bank of India (SBI), on India’s role in mobilising trade finance across developing markets.

Kaushik highlighted India’s growing weight in the global economy, with trade flows now approaching USD 2 trillion annually. “In India we talk about Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, the world is one family,” he said. “For us, it is not just developed economies we work with, it is across the globe. South–South trade is an important part of that story.”

With a market share of around 22%, SBI’s scale gives it a unique responsibility in supporting corporates at home and abroad. Kaushik noted that volatility and shifting trade patterns are, in some respects, creating new opportunities: “The bit of chaos you have seen of late is actually helping our cause… we are not only growing in India, but also becoming a global bank, collaborating across geographies.”

ADB has been a longstanding partner to India. In 2024 alone, ADB committed USD 167 million through its Trade & Supply Chain Finance and Microfinance Programs to support Indian banks and businesses. Cumulatively, ADB’s trade and supply chain commitments to India now total more than USD 1.25 billion, underpinning resilience for exporters and SMEs .

Kaushik emphasised how that support translates into market access: “The trade cover we get from ADB gives us real comfort and has helped us take exposure to new countries. Whether it is Southeast Asia or Central Asia, working with ADB has really helped.” He added that the collaboration has delivered “excellent results” and expressed commitment to strengthening the relationship further.

For SBI, mobilising trade finance is not only about business growth, but also about contributing to global resilience and helping economies move to the next level.