India's Strategic Approach to International Trade Negotiations: Minister Piyush Goyal Emphasizes National Interest Over Pressure

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has emphasized that India does not negotiate trade agreements hastily or under pressure.

During the Berlin Dialogue in Germany, Goyal stated that while India is actively engaged in trade negotiations with the European Union and the United States, the country approaches such agreements with careful deliberation.

"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," Goyal remarked at the event.

The Commerce Minister emphasized that trade agreements should be viewed from a long-term perspective, noting that India never makes decisions impulsively or under momentary pressure.

He further mentioned that India is exploring new markets to address high tariff concerns.

When questioned about whether India is securing fair long-term trade deals, Goyal firmly stated, "I do not think India has ever decided who its friends will be based on any other considerations other than national interest... and somebody tells me you can't be friends with the EU, I won't accept that or somebody tell me tomorrow, I can't work with Kenya, it's not acceptable."

Goyal added that decisions regarding product procurement from specific countries are determinations that the global community must make independently.

These statements gain particular significance as the United States continues to pressure India to cease purchasing crude oil from Russia.