Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday outlined India’s current plan to expand its network of free trade agreements, saying discussions were underway with the United States, the European Union, New Zealand, Oman, Peru and Chile.Speaking at the CII Partnership Summit 2025, Goyal also highlighted the scope of collaboration on infrastructure, saying the Indian Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO) is ready to work with the Andhra Pradesh government to build Andhra Mandapam as a world-class convention center on the lines of Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
The minister further added that reducing global trade barriers would contribute to the free movement of goods, services and capital. He noted that India already had free trade agreements in force with the United Arab Emirates, Australia and the four-country EFTA bloc. “We are currently negotiating with the EU, the United States, Oman, New Zealand, Chile and Peru and many others, wanting us to enter into negotiations,” he said. He further added that the Center has taken steps to improve ease of doing business, including eliminating nearly 42,000 compliances and repealing around 1,500 laws.Earlier this week, India successfully concluded the fourth round of negotiations with New Zealand. The two countries held discussions on a wide range of priority issues, covering trade in goods and services, economic and technical cooperation, investment and rules of origin.In October, India and the EU began negotiations to finalize a mutually beneficial, balanced and fair trade agreement. Both sides aim to finalize the deal by the end of this year.
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