‘India won’t sign any trade deal in a hurry’: Piyush Goyal’s clear message amid talks with US, EU; ‘will reject restrictive conditions’

India has shown openness to procure US energy and diversify its crude basket, but has been firm on its right to decide the source of crude oil purchases.

At a time when India is engaged with the US and European Union for trade talks, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal has made it clear that no trade deal will be signed in a hurry.“India will not sign any trade deal in a hurry,” Goyal said at the Berlin Global Dialogue according to a Reuters report. Goyal said that India will not rush into any trade deals. He also said that any conditions that may be set by partner countries that restrict India’s trading options will be rejected.The EU-India free trade agreement discussions continue, but there are unresolved matters concerning market accessibility, environmental protocols, and origin regulations. These negotiations have been ongoing for an extended period.Also Read | Trump’s sanctions on Russian oil: How Reliance, Nayara Energy earnings will be hit – explainedAlongside these talks, India is also actively pursuing trade deal discussions with several countries, including the United StatesGoyal’s comments come at a time when India is facing pressure from the Donald Trump administration and the European Union for its continued purchases of Russian crude oil. The US has imposed 50% tariffs on Indian exports to America, 25% of which are penal duties for India’s crude oil trade with Russia.The European Union, United Kingdom and United States are urging New Delhi to reduce its imports of Russian crude at discounted rates, which Western countries allege supports Moscow’s military operations in Ukraine.India has shown openness to procure US energy and diversify its crude basket, but has been firm on its right to decide the source of crude oil purchases based on the interests of Indian consumers.US President Donald Trump has claimed that PM Narendra Modi has committed to reducing Russian crude oil trade, but no official word on the same has come from India’s side. Meanwhile, Trump has this week imposed sanctions on two major Russian crude suppliers – Rosneft and Lukoil – a move that may eventually force China and India to reduce their procurement of Russian oil.Also Read | No oil from Russia soon? Trump sanctions to hit India’s crude imports; ‘all but impossible for flows to continue’