NEW DELHI: Union commerce minister Piyush Goyal on Wednesday expressed hope about the potential of “an early conclusion” of India-EU free commerce negotiations, and stated talks on the India-US bilateral commerce settlement are progressing in New Delhi with out giving any particular deadline for concluding the primary tranche of the BTA.
Replying to a particular query on the conclusion of the India-EU FTA, he stated: “Nicely, I believe, the air is pregnant with prospects. Whereas each settlement has many dynamics, I can say with certainty, either side are dedicated to an early conclusion of the deal”.
The minister was chatting with reporters in Jaipur.
He, nonetheless, declined to present any deadline, hoping for an early conclusion of the free commerce settlement. “Whether or not it occurs in a single month, whether or not it occurs subsequent week, or subsequent month, you’ll wait and watch,” he stated. The minister was chatting with media individuals on the sidelines of the Pravasi Rajasthani Divas in Jaipur.
After completion of the 14th rounds of India-EU FTA negotiations on October 6-10 this yr in Brussels, the 2 sides remained engaged in technical discussions that occurred on November 3-7 in New Delhi. The discussions continued as of this week with a big EU delegation, together with members of the negotiating group visiting India from December 3-9 in New Delhi.
Negotiations additionally obtained political assist as visiting EU commissioner for commerce and financial safety Maroš Šefčovič met Goyal, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman and exterior affairs minister S Jaishankar throughout his two-day (December 8-9) Delhi go to coining the go to of the EU’s negotiating group.
Authorities officers and trade specialists count on that the India-EU FTA can be introduced through the India EU Summit, which can coincide with the Republic Day on January 26, 2026.
Goyal additionally spoke on the completion of the primary tranche of the India-US BTA negotiations within the gentle of senior American officers assembly with Indian negotiators in New Delhi on December 10-11, and stated he’ll meet them on Thursday, between his Parliamentary engagements and his scheduled go to to Mumbai to fulfill a visiting Italian delegation. The American group is led by ambassador Rick Switzer, deputy US Commerce Consultant (USTR).
Replying to a particular query on the probabilities of concluding the primary part of the proposed BTA negotiations by the top of 2025, he stated: “I stated many occasions that each one agreements, all discussions, have many numerous, many alternative angles. Many dots must be linked. And we by no means negotiate offers with deadlines.”
On Wednesday, India’s commerce secretary Rajesh Agrawal met with Switzer and the 2 sides exchanged views on issues associated to India-US commerce and financial ties, together with on the continued negotiations for a mutually helpful BTA, the ministry stated in a submit on X.
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