India and the United States are set to sign the first tranche of a formal trade agreement by mid-March, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said, following a joint statement expected shortly
Launch of FTA talks with the GCC would be a kind of resumption of the negotiations, as the earlier two rounds of negotiations were held in 2006 and 2008 between the two regions
Commerce and Industry minister Goyal told reporters that a legal agreement for the first tranche of the pact is expected to be signed by mid-March
The EAM's visit coincides with the agreement between two of the World's largest democracies on a trade deal
Commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal told Parliament that India protected key food and agriculture interests in the trade deal with the US, while both sides addressed sensitive areas
Parliament Budget session: Piyush Goyal said that India protected sensitive sectors like agriculture and dairy in India-US trade deal, adding that labour-intensive sectors will benefit
Goyal said both sides were working on a "joint statement" outlining the details of the first phase of the agreement
Addressing a press conference, Goyal said India secured more favourable terms than several comparable countries that have entered into trade arrangements with the United States
Goyal also said the trade deal will help India get technology from the US
Investors and captains from the mutual funds and asset management industry were also present at the meeting
This is a Budget that shows a future-ready Bharat, and carries forward the reforms that the Prime Minister initiated on August 15 last year, says Goyal
Goyal added that talks for a trade pact have started with the Mercosur group of countries to expand the existing PTA (preferential trade agreement)
He expressed confidence that "good news" on this front will be announced in the near future
He said that the NCP, as part of the Mahayuti government in Maharashtra, has performed very well
India's exports to the EU could double to $150 billion within five years of the FTA, says Piyush Goyal, stressing balanced market access while protecting sensitive sectors
Goyal emphasised that the agreement is a win-win deal that will drive economic growth and create new opportunities
Speaking after the conclusion of the India-EU free trade agreement, Goyal said the pact was a win-win for all sections of industry in India as well as Europe
This partnership, he said, was forged between the fourth and the second-largest economies, accounting for one-third of global trade
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said India and the European Union are close to a fruitful conclusion of free trade agreement talks, with the outcome expected to be announced
US Senator Steve Daines urged faster India-US trade talks, pressing for greater market access for American pulses, a long-standing and sensitive issue for New Delhi