'India did not stop trade with Pakistan…', why did Piyush Goyal say this after going to America

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, who is on a visit to the US, said in a blunt tone that when Pakistan tried to harm us, we gave a befitting reply to it. Regarding trade between the two countries, the Union Minister said that we have not stopped trade with Pakistan on our part. Pakistan has stopped trade on its own.

Piyush Goyal, who arrived in Washington to promote bilateral economic relations between India and the US, said on the issue of Pakistan, "When Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister in 2014, he took every possible step to improve the country's relations with Pakistan. PM Modi made every possible effort to improve relations with the neighboring country in 2014, 2015, and 2016, but if Pakistan does not stop terrorist activities in its territory and tries to harm our citizens, then it is natural that India will strongly oppose it."

Regarding the surgical strike, he said that we did the same, whether it was a surgical strike or an air strike. Whenever Pakistan tried to harm us, we responded to it at an appropriate level.

#WATCH | Washington DC: On possibilities of India-Pakistan trade via Atari border, Union Minister Piyush Goyal says, "When PM Modi came to power in 2014, he took every possible step to improve relations with Pakistan. In 2014, 15 and 16, PM Modi did everything to improve the… pic.twitter.com/Zil0iAUa4a

— ANI (@ANI) October 4, 2024

On the possibility of trade with Pakistan at the Attari border, Union Minister Goyal said, "As far as trade between the two countries is concerned, India has not stopped trading with Pakistan. Pakistan itself has stopped trading with India." He further said that India has never taken any step to spoil its relations with any country.

Solution through dialogue and diplomacy: Goyal

Regarding the promotion of terrorism against India by the neighboring country, Union Minister Piyush Goyal said, "We are not an expansionist country. We have always believed in dialogue, diplomacy, and finding solutions to the problems of the world. We will continue to make every possible effort to keep dialogue and diplomacy as our tools for development at the global level. But if anyone promotes terrorism, the people of India will not tolerate it."

Describing the US as a reliable trade partner, Goyal said in Washington DC, "First of all, I want to clearly state that India sees the US as one of its most reliable trade partners. We are rapidly expanding our relations and trade with the US in areas such as goods, services, technology, and investment. We deeply value the relationship between the two."

He said that under the Narendra Modi government, we have had excellent relations with the Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden administrations. We will continue to maintain our excellent relations with the United States in the future as well. Piyush Goyal is currently on a visit to the US. He discussed several trade-related issues with US Commerce Minister Gina Raimondo. He also co-chaired the 6th India-US CEO Forum with Raimondo.