Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, at the G7 trade ministers meeting in Italy, discussed India's FTAs with the EU and UK and the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor. Talks with Valdis Dombrovskis focused on India-EU trade and FTA negotiations, while discussions with Jonathan Reynolds covered deepening India-UK economic ties and resolving FTA issues before elections. Goyal met ministers from Italy, Germany, and New Zealand to strengthen supply chains amid global crises like Covid-19. Emphasis was placed on collaborations in critical sectors like minerals, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, and green energy, as well as public-private partnerships and regulatory frameworks. The eighth round of India-EU FTA talks was held in June, with another round expected in September. Investments in critical infrastructure were also addressed.
