We don’t negotiate with deadlines: Piyush Goyal on progress of India–US trade talks

Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Wednesday expressed optimism about India’s ongoing trade negotiations with the United States, saying discussions are “progressing well” toward a bilateral trade agreement. Piyush Goyal also clarified that India does not negotiate deals based on deadlines, underscoring that the focus remains on securing outcomes that serve the country’s long-term economic interests.

Speaking at the Rajasthani Pravasi Divas, Goyal confirmed that a US trade delegation has been in India since Tuesday. “All agreements have many diversified angles. Many dots have been connected,” he said, adding that discussions were “progressing well”.

Piyush Goyal said he would return to Delhi later in the evening due to parliamentary commitments and would “try to arrange a meeting” with the visiting US trade negotiation team.

In a fresh push to strengthen bilateral engagement, the newly appointed US Deputy Ambassador for Trade, Rick Switzer, is in New Delhi for meetings with senior Indian officials. India’s trade ministry said on X that “the two sides exchanged views on matters related to India-US trade and economic ties including on the ongoing negotiations for a mutually beneficial Bilateral Trade Agreement.”