Progressing fast in FTA talks with UK, UAE: Goyal

Commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal said on Saturday that India is fast progressing in discussions on free trade agreements (FTAs) with various countries, including the UK and the UAE to enhance trade and investment ties.

“We are fast progressing in our discussions with the UK, the UAE and other GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries. Canada and Australia are really on a fast track,” Goyal said, addressing the JITO Trade Mahakumbh.

Goyal said he recently held discussions with the US’ Charge’d Affairs in Delhi, Atul Keshap, and that they agreed to aspire for $500 billion bilateral trade at the earliest possible time.


Stating that the world is looking for a trusted partner and that partner is India’s business community, Goyal said the country is engaging for such pacts with economies having transparent rule of law and with whom India can have confidence that it will get a fair deal and reciprocal benefits.

He said whether it is FDI (foreign direct investment), forex reserves, foodgrain reserves, agriculture production or manufacturing, all sectors are on a growth path.