TAF Connect 2026: Rajesh Kumar Mishra on counterfeits, traceability and export opportunity

TAF Connect 2026 opened with a pointed address by Rajesh Kumar Mishra, director of the Indian Institute of Packaging and additional DGFT, Mumbai, who drew on his experience across customs, DRI and anti-smuggling operations to outline the scale, spread and consequences of counterfeiting.

Mishra said, “I know the whole gamut of the smuggling perspective… I have served in DRI for years and seen the markets.” Recalling his tenure at ports and in enforcement, he added that counterfeit goods continued to enter India even during the COVID period, with categories ranging from cosmetics and medicines to electronic goods. “There are a lot of counterfeit drugs, protein medicines impacting women’s health… I also recollect that cigarettes were smuggled and were not of consumption quality,” he said.

He emphasised the health risks. “Whenever things are to be consumed by human beings or animals, if counterfeit goods arrive in any form, that has a definite impact… it is a life-threatening situation. I want people to understand what exactly they are playing with,” he said, urging industry bodies to amplify this message.

On consumer rights, Mishra said, “Any consumer paying any value for purchasing a product is entitled to a genuine product.” He linked this to the erosion of trust. “Whenever goods are not proper, that leads to erosion of that trust,” he said, noting that the damage extends beyond a single transaction to the credibility of entire categories.

He highlighted the economic fallout. “It has a very negative impact on the economy. The kind of planning that an industry would do gets affected,” he said, pointing to how inferior and smuggled goods distort market signals, disrupt investment planning and reduce legitimate tax inflows. “The economic activity that a proper investor would expect suffers a setback,” he added.

Mishra was clear that enforcement alone cannot solve the issue. “The government can only provide a policy platform… and sometimes enforcement as well,” he said. “We as a society need to be aware of where cheaper drugs and goods are being sold.” He cautioned against shifting responsibility entirely to authorities. “Blaming the government is the easiest thing… we need to take all legal routes available and bring it to the notice of the authorities,” he said. “Thinking that nothing will happen is a defeatist thought.”

Drawing from on-ground realities, he said, “Whenever you find ‘first copy’ and ‘second copy’, you have to bring it to the notice of the government body so that action can be taken.” He added that counterfeit goods are often sold through regular retail channels, sometimes without the seller fully knowing the difference.

Positioning trade as a parallel lever, Mishra said India must look outward. “We need to have FTAs with countries with bigger economies… it opens access to larger markets,” he said. Referring to upcoming agreements, he added that Indian companies should be prepared to participate in overseas tenders. “Indian manufacturers can bid — be sure of the opportunities,” he said. “India cannot grow exponentially until the export market is fulfilled. Export is the fourth pillar and it creates huge employment.” Citing the UK as an example, he noted, “More than USD 100-billion worth of medicines is consumed… with the right technology, there are immense opportunities to supply.”

As director of IIP, Mishra underscored the role of packaging in mitigation. “We want to ensure that packaging is developed in such a way that counterfeiting becomes difficult,” he said, calling for closer alignment between packaging design, authentication technologies and enforcement needs. He positioned packaging as a critical layer in protecting product integrity.

He also referenced the need for wider collaboration. “Measures need to be taken by all stakeholders,” he said, including regulators, enforcement agencies, industry and consumers. He urged industry bodies to expand their outreach. “Reach out to consumers and associations… the voice needs to be larger and more effective,” he said.

Mishra concluded with a broader framing of the issue. “It is a lose-lose situation for all of us — consumers, state, economy and industry,” he said. “We would be doing a service to all stakeholders by addressing this,” he added, calling for a more ambitious approach to authentication, packaging and traceability systems.