Piyush Goyal pushes for global trade reforms at WTO, OECD meetings in France

Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal commenced a significant three-day official visit to France on June 2, aiming to deepen economic and technological ties beyond existing strategic partnerships in defense and nuclear energy.

His itinerary featured extensive business meetings with major French corporations such as Total Energies, L'Oréal, Renault, EDF, Vicat, and aviation joint ventures like ATR. These engagements underscore India's ambition to establish itself as both a lucrative market and a manufacturing hub.

Goyal also held discussions with key European Union officials, including Maroš Šefčovič, EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, and Christophe Hansen, European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food. These talks are pivotal in reviving the stalled India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which promises to unlock significant export opportunities for Indian startups in sectors like agri-tech, bio-tech, and consumer goods.

Additionally, Goyal participated in the WTO informal ministerial gathering alongside the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting, where India advocated for global trade reforms, emphasizing the need for updated digital economy frameworks and equitable market access.

"India is pushing for fairer market access and reforms that reflect the realities of the digital economy," a government official noted.

This visit highlights India's strategic push to integrate more deeply with global trade systems and strengthen bilateral economic relations with France and the EU, positioning itself as a key player in international commerce.

Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, during a three-day visit to France starting June 2, engaged with French companies and EU officials to advance economic ties and push for global trade reforms at WTO and OECD meetings, focusing on digital economy frameworks and fair market access.