NEW DELHI, Oct 24: India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday said India does not sign trade agreements “in a hurry or with a gun to our head,” underscoring that the country’s trade policy is guided by national interest, not external pressure.
Speaking at the Berlin Global Dialogue in Germany, Goyal said India is actively negotiating trade agreements with several countries and blocs, including the European Union (EU) and the United States, but prefers to move forward only when talks serve the interests of its people and industries.
“We are in active dialogue with the EU. We are talking to the US, but we do not do deals in a hurry and we do not do deals with deadlines or with a gun to our head,” he said.
India is currently pursuing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the EU, while also engaging in discussions with the UK, the US, and Gulf countries to expand market access and strengthen economic ties.
Goyal added that India’s approach ensures that trade pacts are balanced, fair, and sustainable, particularly for sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, and services that are key to domestic growth.