Completely False And Misleading: Piyush Goyal Dismisses Reuters Report On India US Trade Talks

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday rejected a Reuters report on India US trade talks , calling the claims that New Delhi was holding back on a trade agreement with Washington “completely false, baseless and misleading.” The minister said negotiations between India and the United States remain active, with both sides working towards a balanced and mutually beneficial agreement.

Responding to the Reuters report on X, Goyal said the news was inaccurate and stressed that India and the US remain committed to strengthening economic ties through a comprehensive trade arrangement.

“This news is completely false, baseless and misleading,” Goyal said while quoting the Reuters report. He added that his meeting with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer during his June visit to New Delhi was productive, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to a trade agreement that benefits businesses, farmers, workers and consumers in both countries.

Goyal further said that negotiating teams from both countries continue to engage actively to achieve the shared objective of a balanced and commercially meaningful India US trade agreement .

The Reuters report had claimed that India was taking a tougher position in trade negotiations with the US and was unwilling to quickly finalise an interim agreement despite pressure linked to possible tariff measures. The report, citing officials and analysts, suggested that New Delhi was seeking better terms before moving ahead with the pact.

According to the Reuters report, Indian negotiators were looking for assurances on issues including tariff advantages compared with competing economies and protection from possible future US trade measures. It also highlighted India’s confidence due to improving economic fundamentals, expanding trade partnerships, including the agreement with the UK, and ongoing discussions with the European Union.

The report noted that uncertainty around US trade policies and tariff actions had reduced pressure on India to conclude a deal immediately, allowing negotiators to maintain their position on sensitive sectors such as agriculture and dairy .

India and the US have been negotiating a bilateral trade agreement covering key areas including tariffs, market access, supply chain cooperation, digital trade and sector specific concerns. The discussions gained momentum following Greer’s visit to India in June, where officials from both sides reviewed ways to advance negotiations.