India is stepping up its trade diplomacy with some of the world’s biggest economies, as talks with the US and the EU move forward to conclude key trade agreements.
Speaking at the weekly media briefing on Friday, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India remains actively engaged with both the US and the EU to reach trade deals that are fair, balanced and mutually beneficial.
He said that discussions are ongoing and that both sides are committed to taking the negotiations to a conclusion.
On the India–US bilateral trade agreement, Jaiswal said officials from both governments continue to hold regular discussions.
His remarks came shortly after a US delegation, led by US Deputy Trade Representative Rick Switzer, visited India from December 9 to 11.
This marked Ambassador Switzer’s first visit to India in his new role. During the trip, he met Commerce and Industries Minister Piyush Goyal, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal, and other senior officials.
The meetings focused on addressing outstanding trade issues and exploring ways to strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries.
India and the US have been working to iron out differences related to tariffs, market access and regulatory concerns.
Officials on both sides see the trade agreement as an important step towards boosting bilateral trade and investment, especially in sectors such as manufacturing, technology and services.
Jaiswal also shared an update on the India–European Union Free Trade Agreement, saying negotiations are progressing steadily. The 14th round of FTA talks was held in Brussels in October, after which EU officials visited India for further discussions. The EU trade commissioner also travelled to India in December to discuss unresolved issues.
“Both sides remain engaged and we will see how we can take this conversation forward,” Jaiswal said, indicating that the dialogue is active and constructive.
Earlier, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal had said that India and the EU are narrowing their differences after several rounds of negotiations. He said that both physical and virtual meetings are continuing, with deep engagement on multiple issues such as goods, services, investment and sustainability standards.
India’s recent conclusion of a Free Trade Agreement with New Zealand has added momentum to its broader trade strategy. The deal is among the fastest FTAs India has finalised and is being seen as a model for future agreements.
The India–New Zealand FTA improves market access and tariff benefits for Indian exporters and also opens doors to the wider Oceania and Pacific Island markets.
Source Name : Economic Times