Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has called on American manufacturers to increase their presence in India, collaborate with Indian small and medium enterprises and consider joint investments in advanced manufacturing. He made the appeal during a business roundtable organized by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
The meeting brought together representatives from both large and small manufacturing companies across the United States. Goyal highlighted developments in India’s industrial sector and its skilled workforce while presenting opportunities for American companies to expand their operations and establish deeper commercial partnerships in the country.
Goyal specifically encouraged US manufacturers to work with Indian SMEs and explore co-investment in advanced manufacturing capabilities. According to the minister, stronger collaboration between companies in the two countries could contribute to more resilient supply chains and create commercial opportunities for businesses on both sides.
The outreach comes as India and the United States continue discussions on a proposed Bilateral Trade Agreement. Goyal has been in the US for the G20 Trade Ministers’ Meeting in Milwaukee and is also scheduled to engage with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer as part of the ongoing negotiations.
The trade agreement remains a significant part of the broader economic dialogue between the two countries. Goyal has previously described the negotiations as being close to completion while emphasizing the importance of securing competitive market access for Indian products in the United States. A senior US State Department official separately told ANI that the agreement was about 90% complete, with remaining issues still under discussion. These statements represent the respective officials’ assessments of the negotiations.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has also described the proposed agreement as being at an advanced stage, while noting that changes in US tariff policies and the ongoing Section 301 process could affect the timeline for its conclusion.
Goyal’s meetings with American manufacturers are part of a wider effort to expand India-US commercial ties. During his US visit, he is also engaging with businesses and startups across sectors such as manufacturing, technology, consumer goods, agriculture and retail.
The discussions underline India’s efforts to attract greater foreign investment, expand manufacturing partnerships and integrate Indian companies more closely into international supply chains. For US manufacturers, the engagement provides an opportunity to explore partnerships with Indian SMEs and potential investment opportunities in India’s manufacturing ecosystem.
