Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal refuted media reports that India had rejected a trade deal with the United States (US). Calling the report baseless, false, and misleading, Piyush Goel said both New Delhi and Washington are committed to a balance and commercially meaningful agreement.
The rebuttal came after a Reuters report on Sunday, citing officials and analysts in a report said India has rejected a ‘quick’ trade agreement with the US, holding out for better terms. Backed by new trading alliances, stabilised economic risks, and recent domestic political victories, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is negotiating from a position of renewed confidence.
Responding to the ‘false’ Reuters report, Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal in an X post said, “This news is completely false, baseless and misleading.”
“I had fantastic meetings with USTR Jamieson Greer, @USTradeRep, when he visited Delhi in June. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to an agreement that is balanced, commercially meaningful, and delivers tangible benefits for businesses, farmers, workers, and consumers in both countries,” added Goyal.
Earlier today Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal also said that negotiations for a mutually beneficial trade deal between India and the US are on, and talks are progressing in the right direction.
Addressing a press conference, the Commerce Secretary said, “We don’t see any challenge in negotiations, and consultations are progressing in the right direction.”
“Both sides remain positive. The India-US framework trade deal is ready for signing at an appropriate time. Trade ties between the two nations continue to strengthen, including energy imports from the US,” he added.
Bilateral trade agreement (BTA) negotiations between India and the United States have reached their final phases. According to Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, the majority of critical bottlenecks have been resolved. Both nations are currently ironing out a deal designed to give New Delhi a distinct edge over its global competitors.
Minister Goyal dismissed concerns over recent legislative and policy shifts in Washington, signaling a smooth path forward.
“We don’t see any difficulties with the US,” Goyal stated, confirming that “concessions and other elements have largely been finalised.”
India’s negotiating strategy has consistently focused on securing preferential market access over rival exporting nations, a position that the US administration has formally acknowledged and understood.
While India remains among the select major global economies with which the US maintains a trade deficit, the data underscores New Delhi’s unique position in the global market.
(with IANS inputs)
