India's policy week was marked by US trade talks, weak core output, stronger FDI, coal-import substitution and a faster disinvestment push
Transformational growth should be the prime focus of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal told business leaders at a plenary session in London on Friday. The minister is in the UK on a three-day visit to review the preparedness of both countries for the implementation of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which comes into force on July 15. During an interactive event organised by the High Commission of India in London, Goyal heard from members of a Federation of Indian Commerce and Industry-led delegation on the sector-wide opportunities on offer from CETA, such as advanced manufacturing, consumer goods, renewable energy, healthcare and tourism. "Collaborations, cooperations, partnerships will be, in my humble opinion, the right way to come in quickly for both British businesses and Indian businesses," Goyal told the gathering. "It will wedge your way faster; not compulsory, of course, your choice. If you are ...
Commerce minister says agreement hinges on Washington providing tariff advantage against rival economies
The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the UK is the most comprehensive agreement that India has entered into so far and "sky is the limit" in terms of the economic benefits that will flow from it, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said here Thursday. The minister arrived in the UK on a three-day visit to review the preparedness of both countries for the implementation of the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which will enter into force from July 15. Addressing the India Global Forum (IGF) UK-India Week at the start of his tour, the minister exhorted businesses in both countries to "seize the moment" and set ambitious targets to boost the estimated 48-billion-pound annual bilateral trading partnership on the back of CETA. "The UK free trade agreement will be the first most comprehensive agreement that India has entered into so far," said Goyal. "It's a partnership between two complementary economies, two growing economies. We understand each other,
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer reviewed key trade issues, but negotiations offered few signals on when an interim agreement may be concluded
India and the US on Wednesday concluded two-day ministerial-level talks on the proposed first phase of the bilateral trade agreement (BTA), a framework for which was announced in February this year. Both sides are looking at finalising the talks before the expiry of the 10 per cent temporary tariffs imposed by the US on all its trading partners on February 24. The tariffs will expire on July 24. The talks were held between Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer here. "Concluded a series of meetings with @USTradeRep Ambassador Jamieson Greer and his delegation this morning. We reviewed progress of the ongoing IndiaUS trade discussions and explored avenues to further deepen our economic partnership. "I appreciate Ambassador Greer's leadership and the sustained efforts of both teams in advancing our discussions in a constructive and forward-looking manner," Goyal said in a social media post.
India and the United States opened high-level trade talks on Tuesday aimed at salvaging and recalibrating a proposed bilateral trade agreement after changes in US tariff policy upended a framework negotiated earlier this year. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal met US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer here as both sides sought to conclude an interim trade pact before July 24, when Washington's temporary 10 per cent tariff on imports from trading partners is due to expire. "Warm welcome to @USTradeRep Amb Jamieson Greer, @USAmbIndia Amb Sergio Gor and their delegation to @DoC_GoI. Looking forward to productive discussions on the bilateral trade agreement between (India & US)," Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said in a post on X. Greer's two-day visit comes days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump held their first meeting in more than a year on the sidelines of the G7 summit in France on June 17, injecting fresh momentum into trade
Recycling commitments under the Rs 1,500-crore incentive scheme reach 850 kilotonnes against a 270-kilotonne target as India accelerates critical mineral plans
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal says India does not negotiate trade agreements under deadlines as USTR Jamieson Greer arrives for talks on the interim trade deal
New Delhi is seeking tariff concessions superior to those offered to competing Asian economies as it works towards finalising a bilateral trade agreement with the United States
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said negotiations on the US trade deal are taking longer than expected due to a 50% tariff on Indian goods, while India continues to seek preferential market access
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will hold two-day talks this week on the first phase of the bilateral trade agreement. "For the US trade deal talks, tomorrow my counterpart is coming to Delhi," Goyal told reporters in Mumbai. The meeting followed chief negotiator-level discussions on the pact held earlier this month (June 2-4) here in the national capital. Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal has recently stated that the discussions between the two ministers are expected to be centred around giving final touches to the framework deal. On June 5, Goyal said India and the US are moving towards closing all the open ends of the interim trade agreement, and both sides are likely to execute the "very, very vibrant" first phase of the BTA by the middle of next month. IMPORTANCE OF THE MIDDLE OF NEXT MONTH -------------------------------------------------- The 10 per cent temporary tariff imposed by the US on all its trading partners o
India and the 27-nation European Union will sign the free trade agreement by December and are likely to implement the pact during February- March next year, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Sunday. On January 27 this year, India and the EU announced the conclusion of negotiations for the 'mother of all deals'. "Now, with almost zero duty, almost the entire European market will be open for us. The EU's FTA (free trade agreement) will be signed by December and will be effective by February-March," Goyal said during an interaction with chartered accountants in Mumbai. He also said that his US Trade Representative, Jamieson Greer, is coming to India this week to hold trade pact talks with him. "The whole world is looking towards India," he added. Under the India-EU FTA, about 93 per cent of Indian shipments will enjoy duty-free access to the 27-nation bloc, while imports of luxury cars and wines from the EU will become less expensive. Taken together, India and the
The country's merchandise exports rose by about 15 per cent during April-June 14 this year despite global economic uncertainties, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Sunday. The Commerce Ministry will formally release the export and import data for June on July 15. Goyal said that despite 50 per cent tariffs imposed by the US, India's exports in 2025-26 recorded healthy growth. "Even now, if we see April, May and 14 days of June. I have data until June 14, it (exports growth) is 15 per cent," he said during an interaction with chartered accountants in Mumbai. India's exports climbed to a six-month high of 18 per cent to USD 45.2 billion in May, while the trade deficit widened to USD 28.21 billion. During April-May 2026-27, exports rose 16.09 per cent to USD 88.91 billion and imports jumped 15.14 per cent to USD 145.35 billion. The trade deficit stood at USD 56.44 billion during the period. He also urged the chartered accountants to contribute to make India a 'Viks
The issue currently pending is that our duties need to be lower compared to those of competing nations, said Piyush Goyal
Goyal said the government is prepared and focused on safeguarding farmers' interests. "If a water crisis arises, all necessary steps to tackle it will be taken," he assured
Alongside the trade pact, the Double Contribution Convention will also take effect, easing social security obligations for temporary cross-border workers
India on Tuesday launched Unified Payments Interface (UPI) at Galeries Lafayette, a famous department store in Nice, France. Launching the UPI, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said it will further strengthen the economic and technological ties between India and France, reflecting the growing depth and ambition of our strategic partnership. In 2024, UPI was launched at the Eiffel Tower in Paris. "Delighted to launch UPI at the iconic Galeries Lafayette, Nice Massena, France. Bringing India's world-class digital payments platform to one of France's premier retail destinations marks another significant step in UPI's global expansion. With the participation of Lyra Collect and NIPL, this initiative showcases India's ability to deliver trusted, seamless, and interoperable digital solutions at scale," he said in a social media post. Galeries Lafayette Nice Massena is the Nice branch of the famous French department store chain Galeries Lafayette. It is located in the heart of
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday urged investors, corporates and venture capital funds to "get into action" and start investing in India before it is "too late". He said India's investment ecosystem is ready, the domestic market is vast, and the government would help investors connect with market opportunities, while a supportive policy framework is already in place. "To our investors and venture funds, the time is now, get into action and start investing before it is too late. Indian family offices, Indian venture capital funds, Indian investors, Indian corporates, they all have to come into action. "The ecosystem is ready. Our startups are doing some phenomenal work. There are tried and tested models in India. The market is large. Government will help connect you to the market. The policy framework is available. Get open to ideas on that front and invest in the future that India offers to the world," he said. The minister was speaking at the closing ceremony
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer will meet Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal to advance talks on the proposed India-US trade agreement