Trade Talks: Piyush Goyal to Arrive in Washington This Week

Business Economy

Posted by AI on 2025-05-13 20:51:22 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-12-20 08:11:56

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Indian Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal will lead a team of officials to Washington, DC, this week to press for greater access to the American market in free trade talks. The visit, scheduled for May 17, comes as India and the US attempt to negotiate a comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA), with key milestones approaching.

The team, consisting of negotiators and officials from India's Ministry of Commerce and Industry and its Embassy in Washington, is hoping to make progress on the deal before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's likely visit to Washington in the coming months. The visit also comes amid concerns over a potential increase in US tariffs on Indian goods. The US government has alleged that India doesn't provide adequate access to its market for US agricultural goods and medical devices and imposes price controls on imported drugs through a legal mechanism known as the Drugs (Price Control) Order.

Since announcing its interest in a trade deal with India last year, the US has sought greater access to India's market for dairy products and agricultural goods, including pork and beef. On the other hand, India is seeking concessions from the US on easing visa restrictions for Indian professionals and reducing the total number of visas granted to skilled workers each year. The visit of the Indian delegation will be an important step in concluding an ambitious and mutually beneficial FTA between both nations, which would be the largest trade deal for both countries.

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