India, France Discuss Trade, Investment and Economic Cooperation at G20 Meet

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal met France's Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and Economic Attractiveness Nicolas Forissier on the sidelines of the G20 Trade Ministers' Meeting in the US.

Goyal said the two sides discussed steps to expand economic cooperation, including efforts to accelerate negotiations on the India-European Union free trade agreement. They also explored greater collaboration in aerospace manufacturing in India, integration of India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and initiatives focused on innovation.

The Indian minister said he expects to host Forissier in India later this year for further discussions on strengthening the bilateral economic relationship.

Goyal also held talks with Canada's International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu on the ongoing negotiations for the India-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Both sides reiterated their intention to move the talks forward, with the two countries targeting bilateral trade of $50 billion by 2030.

Discussions with Saudi Arabia's Commerce Minister Majid bin Abdullah Al-Kassabi focused on the proposed India-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) free trade agreement, along with opportunities to expand trade and investment between India and the Gulf region.

Goyal separately met South Korean Trade Minister Park Jung-Sung to discuss upgrading the India-Korea CEPA. Their talks included the need for more balanced trade growth, improved market access for Indian agricultural, pharmaceutical and marine products, and increased opportunities for Korean companies to invest in manufacturing in India.

The meetings came as part of Goyal's wider engagements with key trading partners during the G20 gathering. He also held discussions with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, European Union Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič, Brazil's Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira, Mexican Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard and Poland's Finance and Economy Minister Andrzej Domański.

The broader talks covered trade agreements, investment, market access, reform of the World Trade Organization and cooperation in technology, reflecting India's efforts to expand and strengthen economic partnerships across major global markets and regional groupings.