Engaging with Africa Group ministers and ambassadors, Goyal discussed strengthening trade and investment ties between India and African nations….reports Asian Lite News
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Sunday held a series of high level meetings aimed at boosting India Africa trade ties and advancing negotiations on the proposed India EU Free Trade Agreement during the WTO Ministerial Conference MC14 in Cameroon.
Engaging with ministers and ambassadors from the Africa Group, Goyal discussed ways to deepen trade and investment relations between India and African nations. The talks focused on expanding Indian investments across Africa and strengthening long standing economic partnerships.
In a post on X, the minister described the interaction as meaningful, highlighting that discussions reaffirmed the deep rooted civilisational and historical ties between India and Africa. He added that both sides exchanged views on enhancing trade cooperation and aligning priorities under the WTO MC14 agenda.
On the sidelines of the conference, Goyal also met Maros Sefcovic, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security. The two leaders reviewed progress on the ongoing negotiations for the India EU Free Trade Agreement, a key priority announced earlier this year by Narendra Modi and Ursula von der Leyen in New Delhi.
The discussions also explored ways to further deepen bilateral trade and economic cooperation between India and the European Union, signalling continued momentum in one of India’s most significant trade negotiations.
Goyal’s diplomatic outreach extended to Africa’s largest economy as well, with a meeting held with Jumoke Oduwole, Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment. The two sides deliberated on the WTO agenda and identified opportunities to strengthen trade and economic engagement between India and Nigeria.
In another key bilateral interaction, Goyal met Mauro Vieira, Brazil’s Minister of Foreign Affairs. The meeting focused on enhancing India Brazil trade ties and expanding the India MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement, alongside discussions on WTO priorities.
Meanwhile, India maintained a firm stance at the WTO on the contentious Investment Facilitation for Development agreement. Drawing inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of truth, Goyal said India chose to stand its ground and did not support incorporating the agreement into the WTO framework as an Annex 4 provision.
He cautioned that such inclusion could dilute the foundational principles of the WTO and stretch its functional limits. As part of ongoing WTO reform discussions, member nations are currently examining legal safeguards and guardrails for plurilateral agreements before integrating them into the global trade body’s structure.
India’s active participation at WTO MC14 reflects its broader push to strengthen global trade partnerships while safeguarding its core economic interests.
