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Piyush Goyal Among the World’s Best Negotiators, Says Former UK-India FTA Chief Harjinder Kang
As the landmark India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) officially comes into effect on July 15, former UK Chief Negotiator Harjinder Kang has praised Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, calling him “one of the best negotiators” he has ever worked with.
As the landmark India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) officially comes into effect on July 15, former UK Chief Negotiator Harjinder Kang has praised Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, calling him “one of the best negotiators” he has ever worked with.
Speaking in an interview with ANI, Kang, who currently serves as the UK’s Trade Commissioner for South Asia, credited Goyal for successfully managing multiple international trade negotiations while leading India’s discussions with the United Kingdom.
“I have to take my hat off to him. He’s one of the best negotiators I’ve ever seen,” Kang said, adding that they have developed a strong professional friendship after years of intense negotiations.
India-UK Free Trade Agreement Comes into Effect
The India-UK Free Trade Agreement, officially known as the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), was signed in London in July 2025 during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the United Kingdom.
The agreement officially becomes operational on July 15, 2026, marking a major milestone in economic cooperation between the two countries.
According to India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the trade pact is expected to provide duty-free access for 90.2% of Indian exports to the UK, significantly improving opportunities for Indian businesses across multiple sectors.
FTA Expected to Boost Bilateral Trade
The comprehensive trade agreement is projected to increase annual bilateral trade by £25.5 billion.
Several industries are expected to benefit from lower tariffs, including:
- Textiles and garments
- Engineering products
- Food and agricultural exports
- Whisky
- Automobiles
The tariff reductions are expected to make Indian products more competitive in the UK market while also providing British companies with improved access to the Indian market.
Harjinder Kang Reflects on Years of Negotiations
Recalling the long negotiation process, Harjinder Kang said both countries have now moved beyond difficult discussions to building stronger diplomatic and professional relationships.
He shared that Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal recently acknowledged his contribution during the Annual UK-India Awards 2026 held in London, where Goyal publicly recognized his role in the successful conclusion of the trade agreement.
Kang also highlighted Goyal’s consistency throughout the negotiations, saying the minister remained a constant presence from the beginning of the process.
Understanding India’s Negotiating Style
Despite being of Indian origin, Kang admitted that the negotiations were challenging. He described India’s trade approach as practical and based on mutual benefit.
According to Kang, India’s negotiating system follows the principle of reciprocity, where both sides are expected to gain value from any agreement. He noted that understanding this approach made the negotiation process more effective over time.
