US should sign free trade pact if happy with India’s offer: Goyal

New Delhi (TIP)- Amid ongoing tensions over trade, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Thursday, Dec 11, that the US should sign the free trade agreement with India on the “dotted lines” if the Donald Trump administration is satisfied with New Delhi’s proposals. He was responding to comments made by US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Washington, who described India’s offer as the “best ever” received by the United States.
He welcomed that assessment but declined to disclose the contours of India’s offer. He also refrained from setting any timeline for the conclusion of the long-discussed free trade agreement between the two nations. “His happiness is very much welcome. And, I do believe that if they are very happy, they should be signing on the dotted lines,” Goyal said. The minister’s comments came as India and the United States concluded two days of trade discussions in New Delhi. According to commerce ministry sources cited by PTI, both sides reviewed progress on the bilateral trade agreement and exchanged views on market access, regulatory issues and investment frameworks.
He said that five rounds of negotiations have taken place so far and emphasised that the ongoing visit of US Deputy Trade Representative Rick Switzer is not centred around negotiations. Switzer’s trip, the first since taking office three months ago, is intended to build familiarity and strengthen working relationships, Goyal added, describing his talks with the visiting official as “substantial”.
As the discussions concluded in New Delhi, the officials said the discussions were “purposeful and positive” and the momentum reflected both governments’ intent to narrow differences that have slowed the negotiations in recent years. The high-level US delegation led by Switzer met Goyal, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal and senior officials across several ministries. Indian officials said the visit helped reinforce political direction from leaders to accelerate talks.
India and the US are currently working to complete the first tranche of the trade agreement following instructions from their leaders earlier this year. Six negotiation rounds have been held so far. The initial package is expected to tackle tariff rationalisation, access for services, digital trade and a handful of long-standing irritants that have shaped India–US commercial ties.