New Delhi, June 2 Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday said he had “great conversations” with UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade Peter Kyle on charting the next phase of India‑UK economic engagement and advancing shared business priorities.
In a social media post, Goyal said he was “delighted to welcome my friend, UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Peter Kyle, and his delegation to India.” The minister added that the discussions focused on deepening the “robust and forward‑looking partnership” between the two countries.
The meeting comes against the backdrop of growing economic and trade cooperation following the signing of the India‑UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) in July 2025. Officials said the talks aimed to translate the agreement’s framework into actionable measures to boost trade, investment and supply‑chain linkages.
Goyal and Kyle’s interaction follows an earlier virtual meeting last month in which both sides explored ways to deepen bilateral trade and investment while leveraging opportunities under the CETA. New Delhi has been actively pursuing a wider network of free trade agreements; India currently has nine FTAs covering 38 countries, including pacts with the UAE, Australia, EFTA states, Oman, New Zealand and the EU.
A recent government report cited by officials notes that India’s trade with strategic FTA partners grew 92 percent between fiscal years 2021 and 2025, outpacing the 41.5 percent rise in India’s overall merchandise trade with the rest of the world. The statistics underline New Delhi’s push to integrate more deeply into global supply chains and expand market access for Indian exporters.
Goyal also used the meeting to reiterate New Delhi’s view on global trade governance, stressing last month the importance of a balanced and responsive World Trade Organization that addresses the concerns of developing countries and Least Developed Countries.
Officials said both sides agreed to continue high‑level consultations and involve industry stakeholders to capitalise on the CETA’s potential. The visit signals continued momentum in India‑UK ties as both governments move toward implementing trade facilitation measures, regulatory cooperation and investment promotion initiatives.
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