The increasing frequency and impact of geopolitical disruptions – ranging from trade wars and economic sanctions to regulatory upheaval – has placed global supply chains under unprecedented pressure. Businesses across industries are now being forced to rethink their strategies to ensure resilience and maintain operational continuity in a world characterized by uncertainty.
A new era of complexity
Geopolitical events have redefined the landscape of international trade. Factors such as US-China trade tensions, the Russia-Ukraine conflict and post-Brexit regulatory shifts have highlighted vulnerabilities in global supply chains.
Samir J Shah, Chief Mentor and Director at JBS Academy, highlighted the core issues such as,
“Geopolitical risks are no longer isolated events. They have become systemic, affecting trade flows, regulatory frameworks and market access.
“Businesses must turn from reactive approaches to proactive strategies that anticipate and mitigate these disruptions.”
Adaptation through multimodal transport
One of the key strategies identified was the integration of multimodal transport solutions. By combining air, sea and land transport modes, businesses can improve flexibility and reduce reliance on any single route or modality.
Speaking on the issue, Sam Katgara, partner at Jeena & Company, noted the increasing importance of such strategies: “Multimodal transportation is critical to navigating disruptions. For example, during the pandemic and subsequent port closures, the agility offered by the combination of air and road transportation helped businesses maintain supply chain continuity.
“Companies must now institutionalize these practices as part of their long-term logistics strategy.”
Trade route diversification was another area of focus. With certain traditional routes becoming increasingly erratic, companies are exploring alternative corridors, including the India-Middle East Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and the Trans-Pacific Partnerships.
Ramesh Mamidala, Head of Cargo at Air India, elaborated on the role of air cargo in this shift:
“Air freight has proven its value in enabling faster adaptation to new trade routes. The agility of air freight allows companies to quickly establish alternative supply lines, ensuring the timely movement of critical goods. As carriers, we invest in infrastructure and partnerships to support this adaptability.”
Collaboration and technology
Collaboration between supply chain stakeholders—manufacturers, logistics providers, and policy makers—has been identified as a cornerstone of resilience.
Dr. Sanjeevv Khanna, Chief Operating Officer of Patanjali, emphasized the need for collective action by saying, “Supply chain resilience is not a smothered effort. This requires collaboration at every level—governments must align regulations, and businesses must share data and resources. Only then can we create a system robust enough to withstand geopolitical shocks.”
The use of technology to improve supply chain visibility and decision making also featured prominently in the discussion. Advanced analytics, real-time tracking and forecasting tools enable businesses to anticipate disruptions and respond effectively.
Sreenivas Rao Nandigam, Global Head of Supply Chain at Sun Pharma explained:
“Technology is a game changer. With predictive analytics, we can anticipate potential risks – whether it’s a port closure or a regulatory change – and adjust our operations in real time. This level of visibility is critical to mitigating disruptions and maintaining customer confidence.”
Sustainability and resilience
The panel also addressed the intersection of geopolitical risk management and sustainability. As companies adapt to disruptions, there is an opportunity to integrate green logistics practices that reduce environmental impact while improving resilience.
Umang S Bhatnagar, senior vice president of strategic sourcing, supply chain and IT at SRF Limited, highlighted the dual benefits: “Resilience and sustainability go hand in hand. By investing in energy-efficient transport methods and reducing reliance on carbon-intensive routes, companies can build supply chains that are not only more robust, but also aligned with global sustainability goals.”
Build a resilient future
The overarching message of the discussion was clear: businesses must evolve from a reactive attitude to a proactive and strategic approach to managing geopolitical risks. These include investing in multimodal transport, leveraging technology for visibility, diversifying trade routes and fostering collaboration across the supply chain.
“Geopolitical risks are here to stay. The question is not whether disruptions will occur, but how prepared we are to navigate them. Resiliency is no longer a competitive advantage – it is a necessity,” said Shah.
