India-EU Trade Pact In Final Stage, Talks With US Continuing: Piyush Goyal | India News

RAJKOT: Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Monday that talks on a trade agreement between India and the European Union have entered the final stage, while negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement with the US are continuing. The minister’s statement came while delivering the opening speech at the Regional MSME Conclave held in Rajkot.

Goyal has just returned from Brussels, where he attended high-level talks with EU Trade and Economic Security Commissioner Maros Sefcovic on Friday as part of efforts to secure the mutually beneficial India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

India is pushing for zero-tax access to its labour-intensive sectors such as textiles, leather, ready-made garments, gems and jewelery and handicrafts.

“During this dialogue, we deliberated on key areas of the proposed agreement. We reaffirmed our commitment to a rules-based trade framework and a modern economic partnership that integrates Indian industries into global supply chains while protecting the interests of farmers and MSMEs,” Goyal said in a post on X. he said.

Goyal’s statement regarding the continuation of India-US talks came on the same day that US Ambassador to New Delhi Sergio Gor also said that the next round of talks will be held on Tuesday, January 13.

Addressing staff and reporters as he took charge of the US embassy here, Gor said President Donald Trump had “extended his best wishes to his friend Prime Minister Narendra Modi”.

“The friendship between Mr. Trump and Mr. Modi is real, and the United States and India are bound not only by common interests but also by a relationship based at the highest levels. True friends may disagree, but they always resolve their differences in the end,” Gor said. he said.

He also stated that while trade is very important for India-US ties, the two countries will continue to work closely together on other very important areas, such as security, counter-terrorism, energy, technology, education, and health.

He emphasized that despite differences over tariffs and market access, both sides remain in regular contact.