India Stands Firm on Trade Talks: “No Deadlines, Only National Interest,” Says Commerce Minister, Piyush Goyal

Faced with fast-tracked global trade talks amid looming tariff deadlines, India has asserted as firmly as ever: national interest comes ahead of timelines. Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal asserted again India will never be intimidated into signing trade agreements by arbitrary timelines, even that of America.

 

"India signs trade agreements on its own terms. Whatever is in the interest of the country is our first priority," Goyal asserted, adding that free trade agreements (FTAs) must be win-win and in the interest of both nations.

 

India's Trade Philosophy

India–US Trade Talks

Ministerial Stand

Goyal indicated that India would sign only deals which grant it autonomy to follow its economic sovereignty and support home industries, including small farmers6.

 

"We will not negotiate with a gun to our head," he stated, referring to pressure from abroad to meet trade timelines.

 

Strategic Context

India's firm stand comes in the face of a broader shift in its trade policy, focusing on balanced, fair, and symmetric agreements. India already has FTAs with the UAE and Australia and is in advanced talks with Israel, Canada, and the EU. In addition, the government is also looking at existing pacts like the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) so that they are brought into line with current economic agendas.

 

Sources: Moneycontrol, Hindustan Times, MSN, Financial Express, NDTV