Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday signalled that progress is underway on the proposed India–US trade agreement but made it clear that New Delhi will not sign off until the deal fully meets the country’s economic priorities.
Speaking at the Indo-US Economic Summit organised by the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce in New Delhi, Goyal said negotiations are moving ahead, but a final announcement will come only when the terms are acceptable and mutually beneficial.
“You will hear good news once the deal becomes fair, equitable, and balanced,” he said.
Goyal highlighted that India will safeguard the interests of domestic stakeholders—especially farmers, fishermen and small industries—as talks continue.
“Negotiation for a trade agreement is a process, and India as a nation has to see the interests of farmers, fishermen and small industry,” he said.
India and the United States have been working on a bilateral trade pact since March, holding six rounds of negotiations so far. Officials from both sides have flagged progress, but sensitive areas such as market access, tariff structures, agricultural safeguards and digital trade rules continue to require more discussion.
Goyal’s comments come amid renewed efforts by both nations to strengthen economic cooperation after resolving several long-standing trade disputes at the World Trade Organisation earlier this year.
Businesses on both sides are hoping that a deal could unlock greater clarity for exporters, reduce friction on tariff barriers and boost investment flows.
However, the minister’s remarks underline that India is in no rush and will move ahead only when the agreement reflects what he called a balanced and fair partnership.