'India will not sign any trade deal in hurry', says Piyush Goyal amid trade talks with US and EU

BERLIN : Speaking at the Berlin Dialogue in Germany on Friday, Goyal said India is engaged in active trade discussions with the European Union and the United States but will not allow itself to be pushed into hurried decisions. “We are in active dialogue with the EU. We are talking to the US, but we do not do deals in a hurry and we do not do deals with deadlines or with a gun to our head,” he stated.

The minister underscored that India’s approach to trade is centered on long-term collaboration and mutual benefit. “We want trade deals to be signs of enduring partnerships based on trust,” Goyal said, dismissing the idea of aligning trade decisions with the wishes of any other country.

India is currently negotiating a free trade agreement with the European Union, which includes discussions on overseas market access, environmental standards, and rules of origin. Goyal added that New Delhi is also exploring newer markets to counterbalance high US tariffs.

His comments come amid growing Western pressure on India to scale back its import of Russian oil. The European Union, United Kingdom, and the US have claimed that India’s continued energy purchases from Moscow indirectly support Russia’s war efforts in Ukraine. Responding to such concerns, India has maintained that affordable and secure energy supplies are vital for its citizens.

Goyal’s remarks gain further importance as they follow recent US sanctions targeting Moscow’s two largest oil companies. When asked whether India is receiving fair treatment in trade negotiations, Goyal responded firmly: “India has never decided who its friends are based on any considerations other than national interest. If someone says we can’t work with the EU or Kenya, that’s simply not acceptable.”