India-US interim trade talks advance; Goyal pushes Canada CEPA

India and the United States are set to hold chief negotiator-level talks next week to finalise the details of the proposed interim trade agreement, as both sides move ahead with efforts to strengthen economic ties under the broader Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) framework.According to agency reports, a US delegation led by chief negotiator Brendan Lynch will visit India from June 1-4 for discussions aimed at concluding the finer aspects of the interim pact and advancing negotiations on the larger trade agreement.In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said the talks would focus on “market access, non-tariff measures, customs and trade facilitation, investment promotion, and economic security alignment.”India and the US had agreed on the framework for the interim trade agreement in February after multiple rounds of negotiations. A joint statement outlining the framework was released on February 7.

A delegation from the United States will visit Delhi from June 1 to 4, 2026, to hold discussions on the Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) between India and the United States. pic.twitter.com/xrHsHGeIrO

— ANI (@ANI) May 27, 2026

Under the proposed arrangement, the Trump administration had agreed to lower “reciprocal” tariffs on most Indian goods from 25 per cent to 18 per cent and remove the additional 25 per cent punitive tariff linked to India’s economic engagement with Russia.However, evolving tariff dynamics following a recent US Supreme Court ruling affected the pace of negotiations, prompting both sides to revisit certain trade aspects.Earlier, a team of Indian trade officials led by chief negotiator Darpan Jain visited Washington DC from April 20-23 for in-person discussions with American counterparts.The framework also includes India’s intention to purchase USD 500 billion worth of American goods over the next five years, particularly in the energy, agriculture, and technology sectors. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during his recent visit to New Delhi, reiterated that India had committed to significantly expanding imports from the US.
Goyal advances Canada trade talks
Meanwhile, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal concluded a three-day visit to Canada on Thursday aimed at accelerating negotiations for the proposed India-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and deepening bilateral economic cooperation.Leading the largest-ever Indian business delegation to Canada, comprising representatives from over 100 Indian companies, Goyal held meetings with policymakers, investors, business leaders, academia, and members of the Indo-Canadian community in Toronto and Ottawa.The discussions focused on expanding cooperation in sectors such as clean energy, technology, infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, innovation, and critical minerals.
Addressing students and faculty at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Toronto, Goyal highlighted India’s rapid economic transformation and stressed the growing opportunities for deeper India-Canada partnerships.The minister also visited the Ontario Centre of Innovation, where he interacted with participants of Canada-India Tech Connect. Discussions centred on emerging sectors including Artificial Intelligence, quantum computing, agritech, cleantech, and deep tech.

#WATCH | Canada: Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Piyush Goyal, addresses business leaders in Toronto.

He says, "...Diversity defines the Canada-India partnership. I compliment each and every one of you assembled here today who have joined with your message to the world… pic.twitter.com/NXIPZdt02v

— ANI (@ANI) May 26, 2026

In another key engagement, Goyal met Ontario Premier Doug Ford to explore stronger cooperation in manufacturing, food processing, infrastructure, technology, and clean energy.
He also held talks with Business Council of Canada President and CEO Goldy Hyder and senior executives of major Canadian institutional investors, including Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan President and CEO Jo Taylor and CPP Investments President and CEO John Graham.Discussions with investors focused on increasing investments into India across renewable energy, logistics, healthcare, transportation, financial services, and digital infrastructure.

Called on Hon'ble Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, and discussed opportunities to deepen India-Ontario collaboration.

We also explored cooperation across manufacturing, technology, infrastructure, clean energy, food processing, and critical minerals, while strengthening bilateral… pic.twitter.com/pShySo1EY8

— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) May 28, 2026

India and Canada are currently aiming to raise bilateral trade from nearly USD 8.5 billion to USD 50 billion by 2030, with both countries committed to advancing the ongoing CEPA negotiations.

(Business Correspondent)