Bangladesh, July 7 -- India has signaled that it is engaging in trade negotiations with the United States from a position of strength, as both countries race to conclude a bilateral trade agreement ahead of a self-imposed July 9 deadline. Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal emphasized on July 5 that national interest would be paramount in these discussions and that New Delhi would not be pressured into accepting terms that compromise critical domestic sectors such as agriculture and dairy.

Speaking at a summit hosted in New Delhi, Goyal asserted, “Today, India negotiates from a position of strength. We are self-confident and can compete with anybody in the world.” His comments reflect a growing confidence in Indias economic...