On the sidelines of the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC-14) in Cameroon, India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal held a bilateral meeting with New Zealand’s Trade Minister Todd Michael McClay to review preparations for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming New Zealand visit. Both sides reviewed progress towards signing of the now-concluded India-New Zealand FTA and held discussions held on agriculture, sports cooperation, and WTO reforms. New Zealand is also set to host a high-level business delegation during PM Modi’s visit. Discussions also focused on pursuing incremental and practical cooperation outside the formal FTA framework, including the training of Indian farmers in kiwi and apple cultivation.
In a bilateral meeting with Canada’s Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu, Goyal was invited for a visit to Canada in May 2026, where the Indian minister is set to lead a major business delegation. While discussions focused on expediting the recently launched India-Canada CEPA negotiations, both sides also agreed to develop a diversified sectoral engagement strategy outside the FTA framework, which includes expansion of cooperation in shipbuilding, pharmaceuticals, tourism, and the education sector.
India also expressed support to Canada’s proposal to send a business delegation to India covering high-tech sectors such as aerospace, defence, and space. Underlining the importance of the clean energy transition, both Ministers agreed to explore cooperation in nuclear energy and other critical areas, including agriculture and critical minerals.
In a bilateral meeting with UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade Peter J Kyle, Goyal highlighted completion of India’s internal approvals and ratification on the India-UK FTA. While the UK has also completed its parliamentary approval for the FTA, both the sides are looking forward to the FTA’s entry into force as per agreed timelines. Discussions were held on outreach initiatives, business delegations and strengthening economic cooperation, while Kyle highlighted plans to organise business delegations and regional outreach activities, including engagements in Scotland and Manchester. As part of exploring further enhancement of bilateral trade relations, Goyal extended an invitation to UK’s businesses to explore investment and partnership opportunities across sectors and regions in India, including initiatives related to rural transformation.
Also read: PM Modi’s Kerala visit in pics: Thrissur roadshow, Chenda moment highlight NDAs campaign push
In Piyush Goyal’s bilateral meeting with the EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic, both sides exchanged views on MC-14 agenda, reviewed progress of the work underway on the signing of the recently concluded India-EU FTA and explored options for further enhancing bilateral trade & economic cooperation. In an engagement between India’s Commerce and Industry Minister and Ministers and Ambassadors of the Africa Group members, talks were held on enhancing trade between India & Africa, including on expansion of India’s investments in Africa.
(Edited by : Srabastee Biswas)
First Published: Mar 29, 2026 10:09 PM IST
Source link
#Modi #visit #sides #sign #FTA #Piyush #Goyal #visit #Canada #CNBC #TV18
