Three pillars to deepen partnerships
Mr. Goyal’s first pillar called for facilitating two-way investments by lowering trade barriers and enabling freer movement of goods, services and capital. He argued that reciprocal market access and predictable frameworks would help attract sustained private investment into India and encourage Indian firms to invest abroad.
The second pillar emphasised strengthening technology cooperation. Goyal urged co-development of frontier technologies and increased investment in high-impact innovation, highlighting sectors such as AI, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing and semiconductors as priorities for bilateral and multilateral collaboration.
The third pillar was building trust through transparent governance and predictable policy frameworks. Goyal said stable regulations, good governance and clear dispute-resolution mechanisms would underpin long-term partnerships and encourage risk capital flows.
Extensive bilateral engagements
On the summit sidelines, Shri Goyal held a series of bilateral talks with delegations from Africa, Europe, Latin America and Asia, and with heads of international organisations. He met the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), and ministers from Armenia, Mauritius, Angola, Venezuela and delegations from Russia, Singapore and Saudi Arabia.
In his discussion with the WTO Director-General, Goyal reiterated India’s support for a rules-based multilateral trading system. He urged progress on a permanent solution for Public Stock Holding for food security, restoration of a fully functioning two-tier dispute settlement mechanism, and balanced agricultural reforms ahead of MC14.
Sectoral cooperation and trade facilitation
Talks with Armenia centred on gems and jewellery, renewable energy and pharmaceutical collaboration, with both sides exploring a Joint Working Group and a possible visit in Q1 2026. India raised concerns about non-tariff barriers faced by pesticide exporters and discussed direct flight feasibility to boost connectivity.
With Mauritius, discussions included G2G procurement routes for essential commodities, potential petroleum procurement and boosting services exports such as IT and tourism. The State Trading Corporation of Mauritius signalled interest in rice and dairy imports from India.
Engagements with Angola and Mozambique highlighted commerce in agriculture, food processing, logistics, skill development and resilient supply chains. Mozambique sought support for logistics development and explored a G2G supply-chain model for agricultural exports.
In discussions with Venezuela, both sides agreed to diversify trade beyond hydrocarbons and to explore collaboration in critical minerals and pharmaceuticals, with Venezuela encouraging increased Indian investment.
Summit as platform for strategic outreach
The two-day CII Partnership Summit, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry with support from the Government of India and Andhra Pradesh, convened policymakers, industry leaders and international partners to discuss trade architecture, supply-chain resilience and investment opportunities.
Goyal’s messages at the summit underscored India’s intent to be an active collaborator in global value chains while protecting domestic interests through balanced reforms.
