India Commerce Ministry to hold talks with exporters ahead of US visit

The Commerce Ministry has scheduled a consultative meeting with industry associations and export promotion councils on September 1 to review India-US trade dynamics and sector-specific performance. Additional Secretary Darpan Jain, who heads India's chief negotiating team for the India-US bilateral trade agreement, will chair the discussions.

The deliberations are positioned as preparatory groundwork for high-level ministerial engagements planned for late September. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal is scheduled to visit the United States to participate in the G-20 Trade Ministerial in Milwaukee, beginning September 30, during which the US holds the presidency of the G-20. Goyal is also expected to hold bilateral discussions with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer during the visit.

Official sources indicated that the September 1 meeting will focus on recent trade trends, sector-wise performance metrics, and emerging developments in the bilateral trade relationship. The gathering is expected to bring together representatives from key export sectors including pharmaceuticals, engineering, textiles, agriculture, chemicals, marine products, leather goods, and automobiles—highlighting India's diverse trade interests with its major economic partner.

The consultation reflects India's efforts to coordinate between government negotiators and industry stakeholders before engaging in substantive trade discussions at the ministerial level, ensuring that domestic sector concerns inform India's bilateral trade agenda with Washington.