Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday reaffirmed that India will not rush into trade agreements or sign deals under pressure. Speaking at the Berlin Dialogue in Germany, Goyal stressed that trade negotiations must serve India’s long-term national interests rather than be influenced by deadlines or external demands.
“We are engaged in active discussions with the European Union (EU) and the United States, but India never enters into agreements hastily or under coercion,” Goyal stated. “We do not finalize deals with a gun to our head. Every agreement must be carefully considered and beneficial for the country in the long run,” he added.
The minister highlighted that India is exploring new global markets to manage the challenges posed by high import tariffs and to diversify its trade portfolio. When asked whether India was receiving fair and sustainable trade offers, Goyal said, “India’s partnerships are always driven by national interest. No external power can dictate whom we choose to collaborate with. If someone says we can’t work with the EU or Kenya, that’s simply not acceptable.”
He also emphasized that global trade decisions, such as the purchase of particular commodities, should be made based on collective reasoning and mutual benefit. His comments come amid reports of US pressure on India to reduce or halt crude oil imports from Russia, highlighting the growing complexity of international trade relations.
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