Piyush Goyal dismisses report claiming India is holding back on US trade deal
The rebuttal comes at a sensitive stage in India-US trade negotiations, with both sides racing to bridge differences on tariffs and market access ahead of a proposed bilateral trade agreement.
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday dismissed a report that said India had rejected a quick trade agreement with the United States and was holding out for a better deal, calling it "completely false, baseless and misleading".
In a post on X, quote-tweeting the Reuters report, Goyal said: "This news is completely false, baseless and misleading."
"I had fantastic meetings with USTR Jamieson Greer when he visited Delhi in June. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to an agreement that is balanced, commercially meaningful, and delivers tangible benefits for businesses, farmers, workers, and consumers in both countries," he said.
The minister added that negotiations between the two countries remain active.
"Our teams remain fully engaged in achieving this objective," Goyal said.
The report had claimed that India had adopted a tougher stance in trade negotiations with Washington despite the threat of higher US tariffs on its exports. Citing officials and analysts, it said New Delhi had declined to fast-track an interim agreement during US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer's visit to India last month and was prepared to wait for more favourable terms.
According to the report, Indian negotiators were seeking assurances on key issues, including a tariff advantage over competitors and protection from future US levies.
It also suggested that India's confidence had been strengthened by improving economic fundamentals, expanding trade ties with countries such as the UK and ongoing negotiations with the European Union.
The report further argued that legal uncertainty surrounding US trade policy and tariff measures had reduced pressure on India to conclude a deal quickly, allowing negotiators to hold firm on sensitive sectors such as agriculture and dairy.
Goyal's remarks underscore New Delhi's position that negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement remain on track. India and the United States have been engaged in talks for a trade pact covering issues such as tariffs, market access and sector-specific concerns, with officials from both sides continuing discussions to reach a mutually beneficial agreement.
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday dismissed a report that said India had rejected a quick trade agreement with the United States and was holding out for a better deal, calling it "completely false, baseless and misleading".
In a post on X, quote-tweeting the Reuters report, Goyal said: "This news is completely false, baseless and misleading."
"I had fantastic meetings with USTR Jamieson Greer when he visited Delhi in June. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to an agreement that is balanced, commercially meaningful, and delivers tangible benefits for businesses, farmers, workers, and consumers in both countries," he said.
The minister added that negotiations between the two countries remain active.
"Our teams remain fully engaged in achieving this objective," Goyal said.
The report had claimed that India had adopted a tougher stance in trade negotiations with Washington despite the threat of higher US tariffs on its exports. Citing officials and analysts, it said New Delhi had declined to fast-track an interim agreement during US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer's visit to India last month and was prepared to wait for more favourable terms.
According to the report, Indian negotiators were seeking assurances on key issues, including a tariff advantage over competitors and protection from future US levies.
It also suggested that India's confidence had been strengthened by improving economic fundamentals, expanding trade ties with countries such as the UK and ongoing negotiations with the European Union.
The report further argued that legal uncertainty surrounding US trade policy and tariff measures had reduced pressure on India to conclude a deal quickly, allowing negotiators to hold firm on sensitive sectors such as agriculture and dairy.
Goyal's remarks underscore New Delhi's position that negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement remain on track. India and the United States have been engaged in talks for a trade pact covering issues such as tariffs, market access and sector-specific concerns, with officials from both sides continuing discussions to reach a mutually beneficial agreement.
