India to protect its interests in trade pact with U.S.: Goyal

India's Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal emphasizes safeguarding national interests in trade agreements with the U.S. and EU.

India is in continuous dialogue with the U.S. on the proposed bilateral trade agreement (BTA), and the government will safeguard the nation's and public interests as it is never advisable to take any step in undue haste, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Friday (April 11, 2025).

He said all the country’s trade talks are progressing well in the spirit of ‘India first’ and to ensure the pathway to Viksit Bharat 2047.

"I have said it many times before that we do not negotiate at gunpoint. Timely restrictions are good as they encourage us to talk swiftly, but until we can protect the interests of the country and people, it is never good to be hasty," Mr. Goyal told reporters when asked about the progress of India-US BTA.

The two countries have fixed a target to finalise the first phase of the agreement by fall (September-October) this year with an aim to more than double bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030 from the current $191 billion.

On the India-European Union (EU) trade pact, Mr. Goyal said the trade talks proceed when both sides are sensitive to each other's concerns and requirements.

"I can only share... that all the trade talks are progressing well in the spirit of India first and to ensure our pathway to Viksit Bharat 2047," he said.

He added that businesses face various constraints of non-tariff barriers in the EU.