As India-US Trade Talks Gain Pace, Piyush Goyal Likely To Visit Washington Soon: Report

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal (Image: Piyush Goyal Office/file photo)

As India’s trade negotiations with the United States gain momentum, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal is expected to visit Washington in the coming days to advance discussions on a proposed Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA), according to sources.

The visit follows daylong talks held recently in New Delhi between US Chief Trade Negotiator Brendan Lynch and India’s Deputy Chief Negotiator Rajesh Agrawal. Both sides described the discussions as positive and constructive, with an agreement to accelerate efforts towards an early and mutually beneficial conclusion to the trade deal.

“The commerce minister’s visit is likely soon… may be in the next few days… for the trade talks,” sources told news agency PTI.

On September 16, the Ministry of Commerce issued a statement confirming that both delegations had agreed to intensify efforts to conclude the agreement swiftly. The meeting marked the fifth round of negotiations since both countries committed to pursuing a trade deal in February 2025.

“It was decided to intensify efforts to achieve early conclusion of a mutually beneficial trade agreement,” the ministry said in a statement after a seven-hour meeting with US officials.

These talks took place amid heightened trade tensions, following the US imposition of a sweeping 50% tariff on Indian goods. US President Donald Trump imposed 25 per cent additional tariff on the country for its continued purchase of Russian crude oil over and above the 25 per cent reciprocal tariff that came into effect in August, fueling tensions between the two nations.