'India Won’t Accept...': Piyush Goyal's Strong Message Amid Trade Talks With US

Last Updated:October 24, 2025, 14:48 IST

Piyush Goyal affirms India will not rush trade deals or accept restrictive conditions, stressing trust and long-term ties in talks with the US, European Union, and other partners.

While geopolitical tensions between the two countries remain sensitive, the minister’s tone signals a pragmatic approach: balancing diplomacy with firm domestic industrial goals. (File photo)

Amid ongoing trade talks with major partners, including the United States, Union Minister Piyush Goyal said on Friday that India will not sign any trade agreement in haste or will reject conditions from partner countries that restrict its trading choices.

Speaking at the Berlin Global Dialogue during an official visit, Goyal emphasised that trade deals are not merely about tariffs or market access, but about building trust, long-term relationships, and creating sustainable frameworks for global business cooperation.

India is negotiating a long-pending free trade agreement with the European Union, with differences remaining over market access, environmental standards and rules of origin.

Trade negotiations are also in progress with the United States, which has imposed a 50 percent tariff on Indian exports, as well as with several other countries.

Goyal said New Delhi would take a measured approach.

Referring to European concerns over India’s continued purchases of Russian oil, Goyal said, “India will not sign any trade deal in a hurry."

“In a very short-term context, it’s not about what is going to happen in the next six months. It’s not just about being able to sell steel to America," Goyal said, hinting at the ongoing trade dialogue with Washington.

Pointing out that India’s approach to trade negotiations is driven by a long-term vision, not by pressure to meet immediate trade targets, the Union Minister said, “Trade deals are for a longer duration. It’s not only about tariffs, it’s also about trust and a relationship. Trade deals are also about businesses."

The EU, the United Kingdom and the United States are pressuring India to scale back imports of discounted Russian crude, which the Western nations argue helps fund Moscow’s war effort in Ukraine.

India has consistently maintained that its energy imports are vital for securing affordable supplies and safeguarding its energy security.

Earlier, on Thursday, during an interaction with the Doordarshan, the Union minister said India and the US were making progress in their trade negotiations.

“We are in dialogue with the United States of America. Our teams are engaged. We recently had the commerce secretary visit the US, and he met with his counterparts. We continue to engage with them, and talks are progressing. We hope to work towards a fair and equitable agreement in the near future," said Goyal.

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