India Signed Nine FTAs in 3.5 Years; Seven More Trade Agreements Expected by Next Year: Piyush Goyal
08 June 2026: India is likely to finalize three to four major trade agreements during the coming year, while another two to three substantive Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) are expected to take effect within the next six months, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said recently.
Speaking at the Citi India Conference 2026, Goyal stated that all nine recently concluded trade agreements are expected to be operationalized over the next nine to 10 months. He also noted that the India-Oman FTA came into effect on June 1.
According to Goyal, India and the United States are moving closer to signing the first tranche of a trade agreement.
He further stated that the trade agreement with the European Union has been concluded and is awaiting signing, while the agreement with the United Kingdom, signed last year, is pending implementation.
The minister highlighted that India has signed nine FTAs over the past three to three-and-a-half years, covering 38 developed economies.
He said these agreements support India’s growth by expanding market access, facilitating trade, enabling the movement of talent and attracting investments, including the establishment of global capability centres in the country.
Goyal stated that India is progressing beyond assembly-based manufacturing and moving toward innovation-led growth through the promotion of design, research and development, artificial intelligence applications and indigenous technological capabilities.
He also urged investors to bring patient and long-term capital to support India’s transition toward emerging technologies and future industries.
The minister said India is expected to remain the world’s fastest-growing economy for more than two decades. He added that the country has consistently adapted its processes and business strategies to evolving geopolitical and economic conditions, enabling it to respond to changing global circumstances.
Goyal also pointed to India’s management of the global energy situation despite concerns arising from developments in West Asia and disruptions to energy supplies from the Gulf region.
According to the minister, India’s efforts to diversify energy sources have helped ensure uninterrupted availability of petrol, diesel, aviation fuel, liquefied natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas at relatively moderate prices.
