Welcoming the US administration’s comments on receiving the “best ever” trade deal from India, Commerce and Industry Minister, Piyush Goyal said the US should sign the pact between the two countries if it’s happy with the offer.
Speaking at an event in Mumbai, Goyal was commenting on recent remarks made by US Trade Representative, Jamieson Greer, in Washington, who said the US has received the “best ever” offer from India.
“His happiness is very much welcome. And, I do believe that if they are very happy, they should be signing on the dotted lines,” Goyal said, but declined to share specifics of India’s offer or a deadline of signing the long-pending bilateral trade agreement (BTA) between the two sides.
Goyal also added that US Deputy Trade Representative, Rick Switzer’s India visit is not centered around negotiations on the trade deal, but an effort “at getting to know each other better” after Switzer’s taking over three months back.
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However, “substantial discussions” took place between the Indian and US teams, added the minister, saying views were exchanged on matters related to trade and economic ties, including the BTA.
When asked about Chief Economic Advisor V. Anantha Nageswaran’s comment that the pact with the US would be signed in March next year, Goyal said India would not negotiate in a hurry.
"A deal is only done when both sides stand to benefit. And I don't think we should ever negotiate with deadlines or hard stops because you tend to make mistakes then," he said.
While two-day talks between the US and Indian delegations wrapped-up in New Delhi on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a significant telephonic conversation with US President Donald Trump late last night that focused on enhancing cooperation in economic ties, trade, technologies, energy, defence, and security.
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