India is negotiating international trade agreements from a position of strength, backed by its growing economy and long-term market potential, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has said. He stressed that India is no longer a weak participant in global trade discussions but a confident economy that partners want to engage with.
Goyal pointed out that India has already emerged as a nearly $4 trillion economy and is expected to grow into a $30–35 trillion economy by 2047. This future growth, he said, gives India strong leverage in trade negotiations, as countries are keen to access India’s expanding consumer market.
Speaking about ongoing discussions with major economies, including the United States, Goyal said India is careful to balance opportunity with national interest. Trade agreements, he noted, are being shaped to support Indian industry, exporters, and jobs while ensuring that sensitive sectors such as agriculture are protected.
On the India-US trade framework, the minister said Indian exporters stand to gain due to lower tariff barriers, which could make Indian goods more competitive in the American market compared to products from other countries. This advantage could benefit sectors like manufacturing, engineering goods, textiles, and services.
India is also actively negotiating trade deals with the European Union, the United Kingdom, and other partners, reflecting its wider strategy to deepen global economic engagement. According to Goyal, India’s growing economic strength allows it to negotiate on equal terms, ensuring trade agreements contribute to sustainable and inclusive growth.
Goyal underlined that India’s approach to trade is no longer defensive. Instead, the country is offering long-term market access while insisting on fair and balanced terms. He added that interim trade arrangements are only a step towards broader and more comprehensive agreements.
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