Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Sunday held a series of high-level bilateral meetings with counterparts from Canada, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and the European Union on the sidelines of the 14th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (MC-14), focusing on accelerating trade agreements and strengthening economic partnerships.
During his meeting with Canada’s International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu, both sides discussed expediting negotiations for the proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). They also agreed to diversify cooperation beyond free trade talks, with focus areas including shipbuilding, pharmaceuticals, tourism, education, clean energy, nuclear energy, agriculture and critical minerals. The two countries also supported mutual business delegations to boost engagement in sectors such as aerospace, defence and space.
In talks with UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade Peter J Kyle, Goyal reviewed progress on the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), signed in July 2025 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. With both countries completing their respective approval processes, the ministers expressed optimism about the agreement coming into force soon. Goyal emphasised the need for outreach initiatives to ensure businesses across India fully benefit from the agreement, while the UK side highlighted plans for business delegations and regional engagements.
Goyal also met New Zealand’s Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay, where discussions focused on preparations for Prime Minister Modi’s upcoming visit to New Zealand and progress towards the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement. Both sides explored cooperation in agriculture and sports, including training Indian farmers in kiwi and apple cultivation, and agreed to deepen engagement beyond the FTA framework.
In his meeting with EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic, Goyal reviewed the progress of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement and stressed the need to complete formalities for its early signing. Both sides also discussed expanding bilateral trade and economic cooperation.
Across all meetings, discussions also centred on key issues at the WTO Ministerial Conference, including reforms of the multilateral trading system, the moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions, and the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement. India reiterated that the WTO must remain a consensus-based, member-driven organisation and emphasised the importance of addressing longstanding issues—particularly in agriculture—before moving to new areas.
The engagements highlighted India’s push to strengthen global trade ties, fast-track key agreements, and ensure that international trade frameworks remain inclusive and balanced.
