Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday said that India is in a very advanced stage of trade negotiations with key global partners, including the U.S., the European Union, and Oman. “We are in a very advanced stage of negotiations with Oman, EU, and the U.S.,” Goyal said while addressing a press conference on the India-U.K. CETA in New Delhi.

“A pact with New Zealand is also expected in the coming months,” Goyal said, adding that discussions are currently ongoing with Chile and Peru as well.

Emphasising the strategic importance of these deals, the minister noted that each trade negotiation is getting the requisite attention, and that work is progressing in the right direction across all agreements.

“Each free trade agreement (FTA) is getting requisite attention. Work is going on all the FTAs in the right direction,” he said.

“Our aim is to expand India’s presence in both goods and services exports,” Goyal said, underlining that each agreement has its own dynamics and must be approached accordingly.

On the recently signed comprehensive economic and trade agreement (CETA) between India and the U.K., Goyal said that the landmark deal showcases India’s growing importance on the world stage.

Goyal said the agreement is a reflection of how the developed world is increasingly recognising India as the partner of the future, driven by its demographic dividend, strong and decisive leadership, and a rapidly expanding middle class.

“The India-U.K. FTA is not just a trade deal, it’s a strategic economic partnership that will dramatically boost our exports,” the minister noted. He added that Indian exporters now have over 99% access to the U.K. market under the deal, with significant sectors such as textiles and leather enjoying zero-duty benefits.

“There’s a huge opportunity for our textile and leather industries. Products that once faced tariffs will now enter the U.K. market duty-free, allowing our exports to grow substantially,” Goyal said.

Reassuring domestic stakeholders, the minister emphasised that India has safeguarded its sensitive sectors, including dairy, which remains outside the scope of the trade pact. “We have protected India’s core interests and ensured our farmers and sensitive sectors are not impacted,” he added.

Goyal also mentioned that every state in India stands to gain from the agreement, as it opens up new avenues for exporters across sectors and regions.