New Delhi: Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has said the United States should proceed with signing the long-discussed free trade agreement (FTA) with India if it is satisfied with the proposal presented by New Delhi.
Responding to comments from a senior US trade official who described India’s offer as the “best ever,” Goyal said the positive reaction was encouraging.
“If they are very happy, they should be signing on the dotted lines,” he told reporters, while declining to disclose details of India’s proposal.
Goyal said five rounds of negotiations have taken place so far but avoided giving a timeline for the signing of the agreement. He clarified that the visit of US Deputy Trade Representative Rick Switzer—his first since assuming office—was meant for relationship-building rather than formal negotiations.
Switzer held two days of discussions in New Delhi with an Indian delegation led by Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal. Both sides exchanged views on bilateral trade and the progress of talks toward a mutually beneficial bilateral trade agreement.
The development comes as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump held a telephonic conversation focused on strengthening economic ties, amid hopes that the long-awaited trade deal may move closer to completion.
