New Delhi witnessed a pivotal meeting on Thursday as India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal hosted US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor. The discussions, described by Goyal as ‘highly meaningful,’ centered on fortifying trade and economic ties between the two nations.
Posting on X, Goyal highlighted the productive exchange aimed at deepening bilateral partnerships. ‘Hosted US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and US Ambassador Sergio Gor. Very meaningful discussions to enhance trade and economic partnership,’ he wrote, underscoring the focus on expanding cooperation.
Ambassador Gor echoed the sentiment, calling the lunch meeting ‘productive’ and noting abundant areas for collaboration between India and the US. This engagement comes at a crucial juncture as India aggressively pursues stronger global trade positioning.
The Indian government is prioritizing greater market access for its businesses and integration into global supply chains. Goyal has previously revealed that India has inked nine Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with 38 countries, granting Indian enterprises privileged access to nearly two-thirds of global trade.
These pacts are opening doors for Indian goods, services, agriculture, fisheries, and labor-intensive sectors while facilitating smoother talent mobility. Goyal emphasizes that Atmanirbhar Bharat is not about isolation but building resilient, diversified supply chains through global engagement.
He has urged industry leaders to extend global opportunities to MSMEs, farmers, exporters, and fishermen across India. At a recent event in Mumbai, Goyal stressed the role of entrepreneurs and youth in India’s growth story, confident they will lead the nation to a developed economy by 2047.
The talks build on an early February preliminary agreement slashing US tariffs on Indian exports from 50% to 18%, with India signaling plans to procure $500 billion in US goods over five years. Though recent US Supreme Court rulings have complicated matters by invalidating emergency tariffs, India remains committed, postponing a delegation trip but not rethinking the deal.
Experts anticipate India will safeguard against future judicial or unilateral tariff risks while balancing domestic priorities with robust US ties. With Trump signaling continued tariff collections under a ‘fair’ framework, these discussions signal a renewed push for equitable trade relations.