Doha – Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal told reporters in Qatar that talks with the United States and the European Union are moving forward, but no firm deadline has been set yet for the possible Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) with the U.S. or the Free‑Trade Agreement (FTA) with the EU.
India‑U.S. trade talks stay fluid
Goyal said that Indian officials remain in continuous contact with U.S. counterparts at all levels. “We never set deadlines on negotiations,” he said. “There are many possibilities. With the U.S. government currently in shutdown mode, we’ll see how, where and when the talks can take place.” The minister added that the U.S. is a priority partner for India’s trade team, but agreed that the BTA could take shape in the coming months without a fixed timeline.
Strong momentum in EU‑India negotiations
Switching to Europe, Goyal highlighted progress in Brussels. “We have very good talks with the EU and our entire team is on the ground,” he explained. He praised the EU’s $20 trillion economy and its 27‑country membership, calling it one of the world’s biggest economic blocs. “India, the fastest‑growing large economy, brings a young, skilled workforce. The EU brings innovation and technology. We can complement each other,” Goyal said.
The minister said the next step will be a meeting in Brussels by Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal later this week. “We aim to reach a fair, balanced free‑trade agreement before the year’s end,” Goyal added. “We’re not pressuring with deadlines, but we are committed to meeting expectations.”
India‑Qatar partnership and third‑country projects
Goyal also touched on India‑Qatar cooperation. He noted that Indian and Qatari businesses are already collaborating on third‑country projects. “The Qatar Development Bank is ready to provide financing guarantees,” he said. “Indian companies should seriously consider these opportunities for joint ventures abroad.”
The minister’s remarks come as India’s trade diplomacy team continues to engage with global partners. Both the U.S. and EU negotiations are still in progress, but the tone remains optimistic. India’s commerce officials are actively seeking to boost trade ties, strengthen economic links, and tap into global markets, while staying flexible on timelines.
Source: aninews
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