India-US trade agreement to boost manufacturing, innovation: Piyush Goyal

NEW DELHI: Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Wednesday hailed the India–US trade agreement in Parliament, saying India has successfully safeguarded sensitive sectors such as agriculture and dairy through negotiations with the United States, calling it a major achievement. He said the agreement became a reality after nearly a year of discussions. The statement was made amid protests by opposition members.

Goyal said the agreement would help achieve the goals of “Make in India for the world, Design in India for the world, and Innovate in India for the world.”

He added that the trade agreement would create opportunities for small and medium traders, industrialists, and skilled professionals, while also making advanced technologies more easily accessible. “This is a major step towards strengthening India-US relations and taking forward our journey towards the goal of a developed India by 2047. It reflects the strong partnership between two of the world’s largest nations,” Goyal said.

On February 2, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump, during which several bilateral and international issues were discussed. Following the call, Trump announced a reduction in tariffs on Indian goods to 18 percent.