FM Sitharaman urges ITRAF to make tax commentary reach policymakers, public
Synopsis
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman used the ITRAF platform in Bengaluru to deliver an unusually pointed message: a decade of quiet, high-quality tax commentary is no longer enough. She wants ITRAF's expertise inside policy rooms and in public debate — a signal that India's government is looking for credible domestic voices as it navigates complex global tax reform negotiations.
Key Takeaways
FM Nirmala Sitharaman addressed the 8th International Tax Conference of ITRAF in Bengaluru on 16 September 2026 .
She urged ITRAF to move from quiet contributions to visible engagement with policy processes and the public .
ITRAF's membership includes former CFOs , Senior Advocates , top professional firm partners, and academicians from India's largest tech companies.
The foundation has published seven volumes of international tax commentary with forewords from globally respected experts.
ITRAF has co-hosted conferences with institutions including the London School of Economics and the Chartered Institute of Taxation in London.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday, 16 September called on the Indian Tax Research and Advisory Foundation (ITRAF) to amplify its presence in policy discussions and public discourse, moving beyond its decade-long tradition of quiet, behind-the-scenes contributions to international taxation. She was speaking at the 8th International Tax Conference of ITRAF in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
The Core Message to ITRAF
Sitharaman's appeal to the foundation was direct: translate the organisation's acknowledged expertise into visible, accessible influence. “You have so far contributed quietly and I would now urge you to contribute visibly,” she told the gathering, stressing that ITRAF's commentary, while already respected within professional circles, must now find its way into the hands of policymakers and the broader public.
“I understand that the commentary you produce is of high quality and it reaches the profession, but it should also reach the policy processes and it should reach the public at large,” Sitharaman added.
Who Makes Up ITRAF
The finance minister highlighted the foundation's formidable membership, which includes former Chief Financial Officers and tax heads of some of India's largest technology companies, Senior Advocates, partners of leading professional services firms, and academicians who have trained generations of tax practitioners. “These are stalwarts of the field,” she said, noting that they have contributed to international tax commentary “quietly and consistently” for a decade.
ITRAF's Published Record and Global Reach
Sitharaman pointed to ITRAF's substantial body of published work, noting that the foundation has released seven volumes of commentary, with forewords from globally recognised names in international taxation. She also highlighted the organisation's international partnerships, citing conferences co-hosted with institutions including The Hague-based bodies, the London School of Economics, and the Chartered Institute of Taxation in London — underscoring ITRAF's credibility on the world stage.
Why Greater Visibility Matters Now
The finance minister's remarks arrive at a moment when India is navigating complex international tax reform, including ongoing global negotiations on the OECD's Pillar One and Pillar Two frameworks, which seek to redistribute taxing rights and establish a global minimum corporate tax. This comes amid India's push to assert greater influence in shaping international tax norms that affect its large technology and services sector. Independent, high-quality domestic commentary — made visible to policymakers — could strengthen India's negotiating positions and informed public debate on issues that directly affect corporate competitiveness and government revenues.
What ITRAF Is Expected to Do Next
While Sitharaman did not prescribe specific mechanisms, her call for “visible” contribution signals an expectation that ITRAF will engage more proactively with government consultations, parliamentary processes, and public-facing platforms. The foundation's next steps in translating its institutional depth into broader policy influence will be closely watched by India's tax and legal community.
Point of View
Credible domestic voice that can shape — not just react to — global norms. The irony is that ITRAF's strength, its blue-chip membership of CFOs and Senior Advocates, has also kept it insular. Whether a ministerial nudge translates into systematic public engagement, or merely more conference proceedings, will determine if this moment marks a genuine shift in how India's tax policy community operates.
NationPress
16 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did FM Nirmala Sitharaman say at the ITRAF conference?
Sitharaman urged ITRAF to move beyond its traditionally quiet role and make its international tax commentary visible in policy processes and public discourse. She said the foundation's high-quality work currently reaches professionals but must also influence policymakers and the wider public.
What is ITRAF and what does it do?
The Indian Tax Research and Advisory Foundation (ITRAF) is a body of senior tax professionals including former CFOs, Senior Advocates, leading firm partners, and academicians. It produces commentary on international taxation and has published seven volumes over a decade, with global institutional partnerships including the London School of Economics and the Chartered Institute of Taxation.
Why is ITRAF's visibility in policy important now?
India is engaged in complex international tax reform negotiations, including OECD Pillar One and Pillar Two frameworks on digital economy taxes and a global minimum corporate tax. Credible domestic expert commentary made visible to policymakers can strengthen India's negotiating positions and inform public debate on issues affecting corporate competitiveness and government revenues.
Where was the ITRAF conference held?
The 8th International Tax Conference of ITRAF was held in Bengaluru, Karnataka on 16 September 2026, where Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman delivered the address.
What international institutions has ITRAF collaborated with?
ITRAF has held conferences in collaboration with institutions in The Hague, the London School of Economics, and the Chartered Institute of Taxation in London, establishing its credentials as a globally engaged body on international tax issues.
