India’s latest trade pacts aim to expand overseas markets for Arunachal Pradesh’s farmers, manufacturers, and metal producers, with a focus on lowering tariffs and strengthening export infrastructure, says Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal.
India’s latest trade agreements will help open wider overseas markets for farmers, metal producers and manufacturers in Arunachal Pradesh, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Friday, as New Delhi seeks to tie the frontier state more closely to global commerce. According to the Commerce Ministry, India’s trade pact network has now grown to nine agreements covering 38 countries, including Mauritius, the UAE, Australia, the European Free Trade Association, the UK, Oman, New Zealand and the European Union, alongside an interim framework with the United States.
Goyal said the deals could give Arunachal Pradesh’s producers a more direct route to export markets, particularly through lower tariffs and fewer trade barriers. Agriculture and horticulture remain central to the state’s economy, with more than 70% of the population dependent on farming. Kiwi, Arunachal orange and Adi Kekir ginger have all been identified by officials as products with strong export potential, while Arunachal Pradesh is also India’s largest kiwi producer.
The government has been trying to build the supporting infrastructure needed to turn that potential into sales abroad. Officials have pointed to work on cold-chain facilities, post-harvest handling, processing, branding and traceability as key to strengthening the kiwi supply chain. The Arunachal Kiwi Mission is among the initiatives aimed at linking farmers more effectively with domestic and international buyers.
The broader trade push comes as the Centre also highlights the benefits of earlier agreements. In comments reported by Hindustan Times, Goyal said the India-Australia free trade agreement helped lift exports by more than 14% in 2023-24, while other recent remarks on trade talks suggest the government is trying to balance market access with protection for sensitive sectors such as farming and dairy. Analysts say the real test in Arunachal Pradesh will be whether logistics, processing capacity and market access improve quickly enough to convert pact benefits into sustained export growth.
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