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Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal is expected to visit the US in late September, with India and Washington yet to schedule a bilateral meeting to discuss trade issues, including the proposed Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA).
Goyal is expected to travel to the US later this month, with more than 20 ministers likely to attend a scheduled G20 meeting, the Commerce Ministry indicated. Indian and US officials remain engaged on fixing a bilateral meeting, where all outstanding issues, including the proposed BTA, are expected to be discussed.
Earlier this month, Goyal said the BTA could be finalised once the US is able to “provide India a preferential rate in comparison with India’s competition.” He said the absolute tariff level was less important than the rate India receives relative to competing countries.
Separately, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said negotiations on India’s free-trade agreements with the European Union, Canada and New Zealand were progressing as planned.
The India-EU FTA has been sent to the European Council for approval, Agrawal said, adding that both sides are looking to sign the agreement in December 2026.
The fourth round of India-Canada trade negotiations is underway in New Delhi, with 48 Canadian officials taking part. Agrawal described the talks as “an intense week of negotiations” and said both sides were working against a tight timeline to conclude the negotiations by the end of this year.
The India-New Zealand FTA is expected to become operational in the second half of October 2026, Agrawal said.
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Goyal is expected to travel to the US later this month, with more than 20 ministers likely to attend a scheduled G20 meeting, the Commerce Ministry indicated. Indian and US officials remain engaged on fixing a bilateral meeting, where all outstanding issues, including the proposed BTA, are expected to be discussed.
Earlier this month, Goyal said the BTA could be finalised once the US is able to “provide India a preferential rate in comparison with India’s competition.” He said the absolute tariff level was less important than the rate India receives relative to competing countries.
Separately, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said negotiations on India’s free-trade agreements with the European Union, Canada and New Zealand were progressing as planned.
The India-EU FTA has been sent to the European Council for approval, Agrawal said, adding that both sides are looking to sign the agreement in December 2026.
The fourth round of India-Canada trade negotiations is underway in New Delhi, with 48 Canadian officials taking part. Agrawal described the talks as “an intense week of negotiations” and said both sides were working against a tight timeline to conclude the negotiations by the end of this year.
The India-New Zealand FTA is expected to become operational in the second half of October 2026, Agrawal said.
Also Read: Meta launches subscriptions with enhanced AI features
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