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Can India build stronger global trade partnerships without yielding to external pressure? Piyush Goyal’s bold remarks in Berlin reveal how India is reshaping its trade philosophy while standing firm on national interests.
Goyal criticizes EU’s double standards and overregulation in trade.
Berlin: At the Berlin Global Dialogue, India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal laid out a clear message, India will pursue trade partnerships on its own terms, without succumbing to external pressure. Speaking before global business and policy leaders, Goyal emphasized that India’s trade approach is evolving toward strategic integration with trusted partners, anchored in self-reliance and national interest.
Reflecting on India’s policy transformation, Goyal pointed to 2021 as a turning point, when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global supply chains and forced countries to rethink dependencies. For India, the crisis served as a catalyst to reassess trade relationships and diversify alliances.
“If we aspire to become a developed nation, isolation is not an option,” Goyal remarked. “In 2021, we examined our trading arrangements and realized the need to integrate with developed countries, those that can provide technology, investment, and access to broader markets.”
This shift represents a deliberate move away from past strategies where India often signed trade deals with direct competitors. Instead, the focus is now on collaboration with advanced economies that align with India’s long-term developmental priorities.
Piyush Goyal asserts that India will not sign trade deals under pressure.
Reiterating India’s independent trade philosophy, Goyal stated that New Delhi will never negotiate deals under pressure or compromise on national principles. “If there’s a tariff on us, there’s a tariff on us,” he said, underscoring India’s willingness to absorb short-term trade barriers rather than surrender to external demands.
He added that India’s strategy is built on resilience, focusing on expanding domestic demand and identifying new export markets to offset tariff challenges. Goyal insisted that national interest remains non-negotiable, with India’s alliances guided by sovereignty and self-determination.
“If someone says we can’t be friends with the EU, that’s not acceptable,” he declared, reinforcing India’s commitment to maintaining balanced and independent international relations.
Goyal took aim at what he described as double standards in global trade, particularly within the European Union. Citing Germany’s exemption requests for its Rosneft energy facilities, he questioned why India is frequently singled out for criticism.
“Why single out India?” Goyal asked, highlighting inconsistencies in how trade rules are applied globally. He expressed frustration over the EU’s tendency to impose safeguard duties while promoting free trade ideals, labeling such practices as “hypocritical.”
The minister also warned that the EU’s dense web of internal regulations could stifle innovation and pose an “existential threat” to its own industries. “Too many internal hurdles between member states risk undermining European competitiveness,” he cautioned.
Goyal’s remarks signal India’s confidence in charting a self-defined path toward becoming a developed nation. The message from Berlin was clear — India seeks to deepen global engagement, but only through fair, transparent, and mutually beneficial partnerships.
