SCO Trade Council Clarifies Termination of Former Honorary Trade Commissioner Appointment
For Immediate Release
1 October 2026
New Delhi: The Secretariat of the SCO Trade Council has issued a formal clarification regarding the termination of the honorary appointment of Mr. Nikhil Goyal, formerly designated as an Honorary Trade Commissioner of the Council.
Following a review of the matter, the Council has confirmed that the termination of Mr. Goyal’s honorary appointment remains in force and constitutes the Council’s final decision. The Council has further clarified that no third party has authority to reverse, suspend or otherwise alter the decision on behalf of the SCO Trade Council.
The Council emphasizes that, following termination, Mr. Goyal does not hold any current position, mandate or authority to represent the SCO Trade Council. His former honorary designation should not be presented as a governmental or diplomatic appointment, nor should it be used to suggest any current endorsement, affiliation or authorization by the Council.
Clarification regarding external communications
The Council has expressed concern regarding repeated communications concerning the termination that have been circulated to government departments, diplomatic institutions and other third parties. He has also been sending random mails and spamming authorities with his mails. The Council had repeatedly clarified its non-governmental status, yet RTI applications were nevertheless submitted to various ministries concerning it.
The Council has clarified to concerned authorities that the matter relates to an honorary position within a non-governmental organization and that Mr. Goyal has no current authority to represent the Council.
The Council has also requested that its former designation not be used in correspondence or public material in a manner that could create an impression of continuing official association with the SCO Trade Council.
Public representations and online material
The Council is also aware of public material that has associated Mr. Goyal with his former honorary designation, including material featuring photographs taken in public settings alongside references to the former position.
The Council has clarified that such material should not be interpreted as evidence of current authorization, governmental status or official endorsement by the SCO Trade Council.
The Council further records that a website associated with the former position appeared following the appointment and has subsequently been removed. Relevant records have been preserved for the Council’s institutional records.
The Council states that no official SCO Trade Council email account was issued to Mr. Goyal. Any independently created email address or account must not be represented as an official SCO Trade Council identity or as evidence of current authorization.
Matters referred to competent authorities
The Council has communicated its concerns to relevant authorities, including the Chief Minister’s Offices of Maharashtra, Odisha and Chhattisgarh, where appropriate.
The Council has also been informed of police complaints reportedly filed or pending concerning allegations relating to the matter. The Council emphasizes that any such allegations are matters for the competent authorities to examine and determine in accordance with applicable law.
The SCO Trade Council will not comment on the merits or outcome of any investigation or complaint unless and until officially determined by the competent authority.
Position of the SCO Trade Council
The Council has formally requested that Mr. Goyal cease:
- representing or implying that he holds a current position or authority with the SCO Trade Council;
- presenting his former honorary designation as a governmental or diplomatic appointment;
- using the Council’s name or former designation in a manner suggesting current endorsement or affiliation;
- circulating repeated communications concerning the internal matter to unrelated government departments, diplomatic institutions or other third parties.
The Council will retain relevant correspondence and publicly available material concerning the matter and reserves the right to provide such records to its legal advisers or competent authorities where considered appropriate.
The SCO Trade Council reiterates that its decision regarding the termination of the honorary appointment is final and remains in effect.
For factual clarification concerning the former appointment or its termination, government departments, diplomatic missions, institutions and members of the public are requested to contact the Secretariat of the SCO Trade Council through its official channels.
Secretariat
SCO Trade Council
+91 98206 71461
secretariat@scotradecouncil.org
About the SCO Trade Council
The SCO Trade Council is a non-governmental trade and business platform based in Washington DC and is focused on promoting commercial engagement, business cooperation and economic linkages among businesses and institutions connected with the countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation region.
The SCO Trade Council will not comment on the merits or outcome of any investigation or complaint unless and until officially determined by the competent authority.
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