India does not enter into trade agreements under pressure or with a “gun to its head,” Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal asserted on Friday, underscoring that New Delhi prefers a measured and strategic approach to any international economic engagement.
Speaking at the Berlin Global Dialogue, Goyal emphasized that India’s trade decisions are guided by long-term national interests, not deadlines or external coercion.
“We are in active dialogue with the US and the EU, but India never rushes into deals or makes decisions under pressure.
Trade agreements must serve our people and reflect our vision for the next several decades,” Goyal said, adding that India’s economic strategy is built around its young and aspirational population and a resilient domestic market.
Goyal noted that even as India faces tariffs and trade challenges, it continues to seek new markets and build internal demand strength, ensuring that growth remains sustainable and self-reliant.
“We accept tariffs if they exist, but we are exploring newer opportunities. India’s goal is to become a $30-trillion economy in 20–25 years, and our trade negotiations are designed to support that future,” he said.
In New Delhi, a senior government official confirmed that the India–US trade talks are entering a critical phase, with negotiators from both sides “working on the language of the text.”
According to the official, several virtual sessions have taken place recently, and US negotiators may soon visit India for in-person discussions.
There is broad convergence from both sides, though the final announcement will depend on political alignment,” the official said.
While the talks have touched on non-tariff barriers, agricultural issues, and oil trade, officials said differences have narrowed significantly.
“We are finding common ground, especially in agriculture. Negotiations are progressing positively,” the official noted.
Clarifying the structure of the proposed pact, the official explained that the India–US deal will not resemble a traditional free trade agreement (FTA). “It’s not a conventional FTA because it involves reciprocal tariffs that are outside the WTO’s Most Favored Nation framework.
This will be a different kind of arrangement, reflecting mutual interests rather than standard trade formulas,” the official said.
On the issue of US Section 232 tariffs, the official added that India would continue working to address trade barriers in specific sectors.
Responding to a panelist’s remark suggesting that India should reconsider its ties with Russia, Goyal firmly stated that India’s foreign partnerships are guided solely by national interest.
“India has never allowed others to dictate who our friends should be. Whether it’s the EU, the US, or Kenya — we make decisions independently,” he said.
Referring to Western nations seeking exemptions from US oil sanctions, Goyal questioned the double standards applied to India.
“If Germany and the UK can request exemptions for oil imports, why should India be singled out?” he asked, following recent US sanctions on Russian oil majors Rosneft and Lukoil.
He concluded by stressing that trade relations are built on trust, long-term strategy, and mutual respect, not short-term tariff negotiations.
“Trade deals go beyond goods and services — they’re about building lasting relationships. India looks at trade as a partnership for the future,” Goyal said.
India and the United States have been negotiating their bilateral trade agreement since March, completing five rounds of talks so far. Both sides have expressed optimism about achieving a fair and balanced framework in the near future.
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