New York, September 23, 2025: India is set to strengthen its energy trade with the United States in the coming years, with American participation playing a significant role in ensuring the country’s energy security, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Tuesday.
Speaking at an event organized by the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) in New York, Goyal emphasized that energy cooperation between the two nations would not only cover traditional energy imports but also expand into nuclear power and other emerging sectors.
India-U.S. Energy Partnership
“India is a large importer of energy from across the world, including the United States,” Goyal said. “We expect to increase our trade with the U.S. on energy products in the years to come.”
He added that India’s energy security strategy will have “a very high element of U.S. involvement,” ensuring price stability, diversification of energy sources, and unlocking new opportunities for collaboration in both energy and related sectors.
This statement comes against the backdrop of recent U.S. tariffs. Washington has imposed a 25% additional duty on certain Indian imports as a penalty for New Delhi’s purchase of Russian oil. Former U.S. President Donald Trump has previously urged India to increase its oil imports from America.
Cooperation in Nuclear Power
Goyal also underlined nuclear energy as a key area of future collaboration. “It is an area we have been talking about for a long time. Certain elements needed alignment, and we are working in India to support private efforts in nuclear power,” he noted.
Criticism of EU’s Carbon Tax Plan
Turning to global trade concerns, Goyal strongly criticized the European Union’s plan to implement the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) in 2026, which would impose additional tariffs on imports based on carbon emissions.
He warned that the move could isolate Europe economically, increase inflation, and make its industries less competitive globally. “This green protectionism is like a trap,” Goyal said, cautioning that such measures could discourage rather than encourage countries to participate in climate action efforts.
India has consistently opposed CBAM, with Goyal previously hinting at retaliatory trade measures if the EU goes ahead with the plan.
Focus on Critical Minerals
The Commerce Minister also highlighted the importance of securing resilient supply chains for critical minerals, stressing that diversification is essential to prevent the weaponization of trade.
“Ensuring reliable and diversified critical mineral supplies is the only way forward,” Goyal said, pointing out that stable access to these resources is vital for global growth and clean energy transitions.
Outlook
The discussions in New York mark another step in advancing the India-U.S. partnership, with energy cooperation expected to play a central role in shaping bilateral trade relations. As India balances its energy needs with global climate goals, its collaboration with the U.S. is likely to deepen across multiple sectors, from fossil fuels and renewables to nuclear and critical minerals.
Gaurav Chaudhary