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Goyal Says US-India Trade Talks Progress, Details Still Pending
India and the United States are still discussing a trade deal.
India’s trade minister, Piyush Goyal, said the talks are moving forward, but the detailed wording is not finished.
He said India wants the United States to provide an advantage that the two sides had agreed on earlier.
Other officials recently sounded less optimistic about how soon a deal might happen.
Goyal also said that fewer US work visas could mean more skilled people and technology jobs stay in India.
He believes this could help Indian startups grow.
He said he had not discussed visas or green cards with US officials as part of the trade talks.
Piyush Goyal said US-India trade negotiations are progressing steadily, with the fine print still under discussion.
Goyal said finalizing a deal depends on the United States providing India the comparative advantage agreed upon in February.
His comments differed from recent remarks by US Trade Representative Jaimeson Greer and Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who said a deal was not imminent and talks had plateaued.
Goyal argued that tighter access to H-1B visas could keep skilled workers in India and support startups, especially in deep technology.
He said he had not raised H-1B visas or green cards with US officials, while noting that more technology work and company plans were coming to India.
- Who
- India's Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal discussed the trade talks; the other party is the United States.
- What
- Goyal said negotiations are progressing steadily and the fine print is being worked out, while stressing India’s request for comparative advantage.
- Where
- At the ET Startup Awards 2026 in Bengaluru.
- When
- Friday; the article does not specify the date.
- Why
- Goyal said the deal requires the United States to provide India the comparative advantage the sides agreed upon in February.
Talks Are Progressing
Talks Face Delays
Status of the trade deal
Talks Are Progressing
Piyush Goyal said negotiations are progressing steadily and the sides are working on the fine print.
Talks Face Delays
Jaimeson Greer said a deal was not imminent, while Nirmala Sitharaman said talks had hit a plateau.
Effect of H-1B visa restrictions
Talks Are Progressing
Goyal said fewer H-1B visas could keep skilled workers in India, bring more technology work to the country, and help startups.
Talks Face Delays
The article does not report a competing view on the effects of H-1B restrictions.
Key facts
- Negotiations
- Goyal described the US-India trade talks as progressing steadily, with details still being worked out.
- Key issue cited by Goyal
- He said the United States should give India the comparative advantage agreed upon in February.
- Recent differing assessments
- Jaimeson Greer said a deal was not imminent; Nirmala Sitharaman said talks had hit a plateau.
- Visa argument
- Goyal said every H-1B visa not granted could be a win for India by keeping talent and work in the country.
- Startups
- Goyal said tighter H-1B access could give Indian startups, particularly in deep technology, greater momentum.
- Goyal's remarks
- He spoke at the ET Startup Awards 2026 in Bengaluru and said he had recently returned from the United States.
Quotes
Piyush Goyal
India’s Commerce and Industry Minister
“The key issue is how the US will give us the comparative advantage we had agreed upon in February. That requires legal expertise, which AI cannot provide, because this goes beyond the textbook. That is what we are working on.”
firstpost.com
“Look at the entire ecosystem, and you will realise that every H-1B visa not granted is a big win for India.”
firstpost.com
Sources
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