‘Constructive’ meetings: Goyal-led delegation, US officials exchange ‘possible contours’ of trade deal

Goyal’s trip to the US was the first high-level visit by an Indian delegation since Washington put an additional 25 per cent tariff on exports from India due to its imports of Russian oil

Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, meets Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy, Antonio Tajani, in New York on Wednesday. (@PiyushGoyal X/ANI Photo)

The Indian delegation led by Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal held “constructive” meetings with senior officials in the US government, with both sides eyeing an “early conclusion” to a highly anticipated trade deal, an official press release said. During his three-day visit to New York between September 22-24, Goyal met with Jamieson Greer, US Trade Representative, and Sergio Gor, US Ambassador-designate to India.

“The delegation had constructive meetings with the US Government on various aspects of the deal. Both sides exchanged views on possible contours of the deal and it was decided to continue the engagements with a view to achieve early conclusion of a mutually beneficial Trade Agreement,” the Commerce Ministry release said.

Goyal’s trip to the US was the first high-level visit by an Indian delegation since Washington put an additional 25 per cent tariff on exports from India due to its imports of Russian oil. Earlier, Brendan Lynch, US’s chief negotiator, had come to New Delhi on September 16 to meet with senior officials in the Commerce Ministry.

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In addition to US government officials, Goyal also met with a range of industry leaders including World Bank’s president Ajay Banga, Chip Kaye, chairman of Warburg Pincus, Stephen Schwarzman, CEO of Blackstone Group, and IBM CEO Arvind Krishna. “The meetings with businesses and investors evoked positive response. The business leaders reposed confidence in the India growth story and expressed their desire to intensify their business activities in India,” the press release said.

Earlier, The Indian Express had reported that according to an US official, the talks between the teams from India and US went well. The Russian oil issue, the US official said, is the thorniest issue between the two countries, and any deal between the two countries may need India to reduce its purchase of Russian oil, so that the war in Ukraine “comes to an end”.

Aggam Walia

Aggam Walia is a Correspondent at The Indian Express, reporting on power, renewables, and mining. His work unpacks intricate ties between corporations, government, and policy, often relying on documents sourced via the RTI Act. Off the beat, he enjoys running through Delhi's parks and forests, walking to places, and cooking pasta. ... Read More

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