Commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal on Friday outlined India’s ongoing plan to expand its free trade agreement network, saying that discussions are underway with the US, the European Union, New Zealand, Oman, Peru and Chile.Speaking at the CII Partnership Summit 2025, Goyal also highlighted the scope for infrastructure collaboration, stating that the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) is willing to work with the Andhra Pradesh government to build Andhra Mandapam as a world-class convention facility on the lines of Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
The minister further added that reducing global trade barriers would contribute to the free movement of goods, services and capital. He noted that India already has free trade agreements in force with the UAE, Australia and the EFTA bloc of four European nations. “We are currently negotiating with the EU, US, Oman, New Zealand, Chile and Peru and many more wanting us to start negotiations,” he said. He further added that the Centre has taken steps to improve ease of doing business, including eliminating nearly 42,000 compliances and scrapping around 1,500 laws.Earlier this week, India successfully concluded the fourth round of negotiations with New Zealand. The two countriesheld discussions over a wide range of priority issues, covering trade in goods and services, economic and technical cooperation, investment, and rules of origin.In October, India and EU engaged in negotiations to finalise a mutually beneficial, balanced and equitable trade agreement. Both sides aim to finalise the agreement by the end of this year.