Piyush Goyal meets UK, EU, NZ, Canada trade ministers at WTO MC14 sidelines

New Delhi: India and the EU have agreed to strive towards completing the necessary processes to facilitate the signing of their bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) at the earliest while the UK has told New Delhi that it has completed parliamentary approval of the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). New Zealand’s Minister for Trade and Investment Todd Michael McClay confirmed that a substantial list of deliverables are currently being finalized by both sides for the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The issues were discussed among the respective ministers on the sidelines of the 14^th ministerial conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO MC14), the government said Sunday. Goyal held a bilateral meeting with Maninder Sidhu, Minister of International Trade of Canada wherein they discussed expediting the recently launched India-Canada CEPA negotiations.

“Outside the FTA framework, both sides also agreed to develop a diversified sectoral engagement strategy and expand cooperation in shipbuilding, pharmaceuticals, tourism, and the education sector… Underlining the importance of the clean energy transition, both ministers agreed to explore cooperation in nuclear energy and other critical areas, including agriculture and critical minerals,” the commerce and industry ministry said in a statement.

During his meeting with the UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Peter J Kyle, commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal exchanged views on MC14 agenda, reviewed progress of the implementation of the India-UK CETA, which was signed in July 2025.

“On the MC-14 agenda, Goyal and Kyle agreed on maintaining inclusivity in evolving trade discussions within the WTO including on WTO reforms, moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmission and the moratorium on Non-violation and Situation Complaints under the TRIPS Agreement,” the ministry said.

Issues related to MC14 agenda, progress of the work underway on the signing of the recently concluded India-EU FTA and options for further enhancing bilateral trade and economic cooperation came up in the bilateral meeting with Maros Sefcovic, EU Trade Commissioner.

They agreed on the necessity of WTO reforms, and also exchanged views on the issue of moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmission as well as incorporation of the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement.

With Canada, he discussed Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement (MPIA). While India emphasised on WTO being a consensus-based organization, which should prioritize unfinished past mandates—particularly in agriculture—before shifting focus to newer issues, Canada acknowledged India’s concerns and suggested that both nations should continue constructive engagement under the aegis of WTO while respecting differing perspectives on specific trade issues