Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday said that India is moving forward with its bilateral trade agreement (BTA) with the United States, guided by an ‘India first’ strategy. He emphasized that all negotiations are being carried out with a strong focus on protecting national interests, as reported by PTI.
Addressing concerns over tariff-related threats from former U.S. President Donald Trump that continue to cloud global trade conversations, Goyal firmly stated that India does not yield to external pressure during negotiations.
“We do not negotiate under duress. I've said this before – while timely restrictions can push discussions forward, they should not compel us to act hastily. Our top priority is safeguarding the country’s and people’s interests,” Goyal told reporters when asked about the current status of the India-U.S. trade talks.
In a related development, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also commented on the trade pact with the U.S., expressing hope for its swift finalization.
Meanwhile, speaking at the Italy-India Business Forum in New Delhi, Goyal turned his attention to the India-European Union free trade agreement (FTA), highlighting the need for both sides to respect each other’s concerns to ensure meaningful progress.
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He noted that several non-tariff barriers are hindering smooth trade with the EU, and urged for decisive steps to be taken to expedite the FTA’s conclusion. According to Goyal, finalizing the deal would significantly enhance economic cooperation between India and the European bloc.
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