Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal met with European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Maros Sefcovic, during the 14th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organisation in Cameroon. They discussed the progress of the India-EU free trade agreement (FTA) as announced by PM Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in January 2026.
Goyal also engaged in talks with Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, to strengthen trade and economic cooperation between the two nations. Additionally, a meeting with Brazil’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mauro Vieira, focused on the MC14 agenda and enhancing bilateral trade ties, including the India-MERCOSUR PTA expansion.
During the WTO meeting, India took a stand against incorporating the Investment Facilitation for Development (IFD) Agreement into the WTO framework, citing risks of eroding the organization’s functional limits and foundational principles. Goyal emphasized the importance of comprehensive discussions and constructive engagement under the WTO Reform Agenda to address systemic issues.
Goyal also interacted with the Indian diaspora in Cameroon, highlighting the potential to strengthen bilateral relations and foster goodwill between the nations.
