Goyal Opens FTA Consultations — Why Industry Is Finally Being Heard

India’s Commerce Minister, Piyush Goyal, is holding direct consultations with industry and exporters ahead of the next round of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). After years of trade negotiations driven by diplomats, India is finally asking businesses:
“What will help you compete, not just survive?” 🔍 What’s New: * Goyal is prioritizing feedback from sectors impacted by earlier FTAs (ASEAN, Japan, Korea) * Focus is shifting to “complementary economies” — not those that flood India with cheap imports * Strategic sectors like steel, pharma, textiles, IT, EV components, and critical minerals are being mapped for tariff access and protections 🧠 Why It Matters:
This is a structural shift. India is no longer signing trade deals for global optics. It’s negotiating to secure real, measurable outcomes for its domestic base. Expect better-aligned trade terms that boost net export impact, not just gross volume.