NEW DELHI, Oct. 3 -- Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday emphasized the need to keep global economic relationships open, predictable and rules-based, saying countries should pursue dialogue and negotiated agreements rather than allow geopolitical differences to become barriers to trade and investment.

Speaking at the 5th Kautilya Economic Conclave in New Delhi, Sitharaman said, "International trade policy should provide greater certainty for businesses, respect national development priorities, and avoid unnecessary restrictions that fragment markets."

Uncertainty is now a "standing condition" of the global economy, she said, adding that policies must be designed around it and that building resilience is "not a one-time exerc...