India Aims to Become Major Exporter to China and ASEAN: Piyush Goyal

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal addresses an interaction with members of the Indian diaspora in Berlin, Germany. (Photo: @PiyushGoyal/X)

Commerce Minister says India is open to free and fair trade with every country, highlighting efforts to expand access to Asian markets

Key Highlights

• Piyush Goyal expressed hope that India would emerge as a major exporter of goods and services to China and ASEAN.
• The Commerce and Industry Minister said India was open to promoting free and fair trade with every country.
• He referred to meetings with his Chinese counterpart in Cameroon and New Delhi.
• Goyal’s remarks came during his visit to Europe to strengthen India’s trade and investment relationships.

The Hague: Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has expressed hope that India will emerge as a major exporter of goods and services to China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the coming years, while reiterating the country’s openness to free and fair trade with all nations.

Goyal said he had held meetings with his Chinese counterpart in Yaoundé, Cameroon, and in New Delhi on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit. His remarks reflect India’s interest in expanding its commercial engagement with China and the Southeast Asian region.

The minister’s comments came during his visit to Europe, where he has been engaging with government representatives, business leaders and members of the Indian diaspora on trade and investment opportunities.

Focus on stronger trade ties

India’s trade relationship with China remains an important part of its wider economic engagement with Asia. Earlier this month, Goyal said India was working to develop its relationship with China again, while acknowledging that the future course of that engagement remained uncertain.

The minister’s reference to ASEAN also points to India’s interest in expanding opportunities across Southeast Asia. ASEAN comprises 10 member countries and is an important regional partner for India in trade and economic cooperation.

Goyal’s statement that India is open to free and fair trade with every country underscores the government’s emphasis on developing commercial relationships across different regions.

European visit

Goyal’s visit to Germany and the Netherlands, scheduled from October 22 to 27, is aimed at strengthening economic partnerships and advancing trade, investment and industrial cooperation, according to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

During the Germany leg of the visit, he interacted with members of the Indian diaspora and encouraged them to contribute to India’s economic growth. He also held discussions with German business leaders on strengthening trade and investment ties.

In the Netherlands, the minister’s programme included the India–Netherlands Business Forum in The Hague, bringing together representatives of businesses from the two countries