Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal today said that at a time when the world is grappling with uncertainty, India is building “bridges of trade, trust and transformation,” and now enjoys preferential trade access to nearly two-thirds of global trade owing to a series of high-quality free trade agreements (FTAs) concluded under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Virtually addressing the 5th CII National Exports Competitiveness Summit in Chennai, Goyal underlined that all nine FTAs signed under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership have been with developed economies that complement, rather than compete with, India’s growth journey. The Minister emphasised that no nation can become developed without opening its doors to the global economy, reiterating Prime Minister Narendra Modi government’s commitment to reform, perform and transform the Indian economy.
Goyal highlighted the rapid pace of trade engagement, noting that within a span of six hours the Minister had engaged in three FTA-related discussions. India signed a joint statement launching FTA negotiations with the six-nation bloc of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in the Middle East. Shortly thereafter, Goyal met the Israeli negotiating team to advance discussions on finalising an FTA. The Minister said that he will also hold discussions with the Chilean counterpart to conclude a new-age FTA that will provide India greater access to critical minerals.
Goyal further informed that the Prime Minister of Canada is expected to visit India shortly, and both sides are hopeful of finalising the terms of reference and launching FTA negotiations with Canada later this week. The Minister described this strategic network of FTAs as part of India’s approach to de-risking through diversified trade partnerships, calling it unprecedented in scale and ambition.
The Minister stated that tangible results are already visible. Merchandise trade with Australia and the UAE has doubled since the signing of FTAs with these countries a few years ago. Goyal said that the summit theme — Reform, Perform and Transform — is not merely a tagline but a living mantra and the core philosophy of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi Government.
Referring to the recently launched Export Promotion Mission, Goyal said the initiative is designed to support micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by improving access to credit, reducing operational costs, helping them meet international compliance standards, enabling exports to demanding markets such as the EU and other developed nations, and addressing structural bottlenecks that have constrained India’s export potential.
Goyal outlined four key pathways to transform India’s export journey:
- First, taking FTAs to the grassroots through wider dissemination and awareness of their benefits in goods, services and investments. Goyal said this awareness must reach clusters, districts and factory floors, supported by training of trainers and physical outreach across the country. Explaining both policy and profit will enhance utilisation of FTA benefits, especially when MSMEs understand how tariff reductions can open new markets and boost competitiveness.
- Second, focusing on quality as a non-negotiable requirement. The Minister stated that quality is the passport to global markets and standards are entry tickets rather than barriers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Zero Defect, Zero Effect” (ZED), Goyal said, must become the DNA of every exporter, recalling the Prime Minister’s consistent emphasis on quality since 2014.
- Third, moving up the value chain. Goyal urged exporters to progress step by step — from cotton to branded garments, from PVC to finished auto components, from steel to high-quality defence or aerospace parts, and from APIs to advanced pharmaceutical formulations. The Minister noted that value addition enhances jobs, improves margins and strengthens India’s global standing.
- Fourth, building local export ecosystems through industry partnership. Goyal called upon corporate India and industry associations to adopt districts, panchayats or tier-three and tier-four towns, mentor MSMEs and build backward linkages. When large firms collaborate with smaller enterprises within the same geography, districts evolve into export ecosystems, creating sustainable competitive advantages.
Describing India’s export growth story as one of confidence, resilience and aspiration, Goyal said it belongs to 140 crore Indians and 10–11 crore MSMEs across professions and regions — from the weaver in Kanchipuram to the entrepreneur in Chennai. The Minister stressed that the government’s responsibility is to ensure clear pathways, accessible support and real opportunities for all potential exporters.
Goyal concluded by emphasising that high quality and high productivity are indispensable for enhancing competitiveness, and that sustained competitiveness is fundamental to establishing India as a leading exporting nation.
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