India, U.S. Look to Advance Bilateral Trade Deal During Piyush Goyal Visit
New Delhi — India and the United States are set to push forward negotiations on a bilateral trade agreement as Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal travels to the U.S. for meetings with senior trade officials.
Goyal is expected to hold talks with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer as the two countries work toward a balanced and mutually beneficial agreement. India is seeking preferential market access for its exporters rather than simply a reduction in headline tariffs.
Goyal will attend the G20 Trade Ministers’ Meeting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on September 30 and October 1 at Greer’s invitation.
According to an official statement, India and the U.S. will work toward finalizing an interim trade agreement in line with the joint statement issued by the two countries on February 7, 2026.
India is also expected to advocate for a rules-based, open, inclusive, transparent, equitable and non-discriminatory global trading system, with the World Trade Organization at its core.
Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said earlier this month that the proposed trade agreement has been largely finalized and that both sides are now working on a framework to provide preferential access to each other’s markets before formally signing the deal.
Agrawal said such a mechanism is needed because India largely operates under most-favored-nation tariffs, while the U.S. is using executive tariffs. The two countries therefore need to establish a structure that creates tariff differentials and gives Indian businesses preferential access to the U.S. market.
During his U.S. visit, Goyal is also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings aimed at strengthening trade and investment ties.
The discussions are expected to focus on expanding opportunities for farmers, fishermen, women entrepreneurs, startups, micro, small and medium enterprises and other businesses.
Goyal will also meet senior executives from major American companies in Milwaukee and Chicago, including businesses in manufacturing, consumer goods, agribusiness, retail and technology. (Source: IANS)
