India Negotiating Free Trade Agreement With US, Europe: Piyush Goyal

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday said India is negotiating free trade agreements at present with countries, including the US, European Union, New Zealand, Oman, Peru and Chile.

He also said that the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) would be happy to join hands with the Andhra Pradesh government to develop a world-class convention centre - Andhra Mandapam - here, like Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.

The minister added that lowering trade barriers globally will help promote the free flow of goods, services and capital.

India has already implemented free trade agreements with countries such as the UAE, Australia and the four-nation European bloc EFTA.

"We are currently negotiating with the EU, US, Oman, New Zealand, Chile and Peru, and many more want us to start negotiations," he said here at CII Partnership Summit 2025.

To promote ease of doing business, he said the Centre has removed as many as 42,000 compliance requirements and abolished 1,500 laws.

Later speaking at the event, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said that he will provide land for the construction of a world-class convention centre.

Further, Goyal suggested steps to expand global cooperation.

He suggested promoting two-way investment by lowering trade barriers and creating an open, transparent environment that enables the free flow of goods, services, and capital.

The other suggestions include technology cooperation and building a predictable policy framework to promote long-term partnership.

These remarks are important in the wake of growing protectionism globally.

Goyal added that India's trust-based diplomacy is reflected in its expanding network of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).

Meanwhile, he laid the foundation stone for Drone City and Space City in Andhra Pradesh virtually on the sidelines of the event, along with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.

He said that India should be self-reliant in the production of high-quality drones, and the upcoming Drone City in Kurnool will help in that direction.

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