Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has dismissed a Reuters report which claimed that India had rejected a swift trade agreement with the United States. On July 13, Goyal called the Reuters article “completely false, baseless and misleading.”
In a detailed statement posted on X, Goyal highlighted the fantastic meetings with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer during Greer’s visit to Delhi in June. Both sides, Goyal said, reaffirmed their commitment to forging an agreement that is “balanced, commercially meaningful, and delivers tangible benefits for businesses, farmers, workers, and consumers in both countries.”
This news is completely false, baseless and misleading.
— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) July 13, 2026
I had fantastic meetings with USTR Jamieson Greer, @USTradeRep, when he visited Delhi in June. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to an agreement that is balanced, commercially meaningful, and delivers tangible… https://t.co/0JZOULEL6i
‘Indian negotiating teams remain fully engaged in advancing these objectives’, Goyal added.
The Reuters story, published on July 13, claimed that New Delhi was holding out for superior terms amid growing confidence from alternative trading partners, reduced economic vulnerabilities, and domestic political gains under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Officials and analysts quoted in the piece portrayed India as less eager for a quick interim pact.
The Reuters article claimed that there was a failure in reaching a consensus because Washington was not offering any tariff advantages to India.
It is notable here that trade negotiations between Washington and New Delhi gained momentum after President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Modi launched formal bilateral trade agreement talks in February 2025. An initial framework reached in February 2026 included provisions for an 18% tariff on certain Indian goods in exchange for New Delhi lowering barriers and increasing purchases of American products.
Both nations have been making steady progress on the trade talks. On June 5, Goyal told reporters that a vibrant first tranche of the deal could be executed by mid-July. Later in June, he had informed that India and USA are very close to finalizing an agreement following intensive discussions with Greer.
The US side had also expressed positivity during the June talks in Delhi, with both governments noting substantial progress on outstanding issues including tariffs, market access, and regulatory coordination.
India is armed with a robust GDP growth and diverse trade partnerships with multiple nations. Amid global uncertainties and US tariffs, India has also successfully managed to diversity its import and export markets, without being too reliant on a single trade partner.
Goyal’s reponse to Reuters’ article shows that the Indian government does not want speculations and baseless claims to affect the ongoing talks, signaling New Delhi’s desire to maintain positive momentum and avoid any perception of deadlock. It has been observed that a healthy India-US trade and diplomatic partnerships boost positive sentiments in the Indian markets.
As trade teams continue technical-level discussions, both the USA and India appear focused on delivering an outcome before potential political timelines intensify. Success in the first tranche could pave the way for a fuller comprehensive agreement, further anchoring the strategic partnership between the world’s two largest democracies.
