India launches Oman Free Trade Agreement and expands negotiations with Chile on critical minerals
New trade partnerships aim to strengthen market access and global supply chains
-
![]()
Photo source: Andrii Yalanskyi / iStock
India is accelerating negotiations on major international trade agreements with Oman and Chile as the country seeks to expand global economic partnerships and secure long-term access to strategic resources, reports ANI, a TV BRICS partner.
India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal announced that the free trade agreement with Oman is expected to come into force on 1 June 2026 following what he described as productive discussions between the two countries.
According to the minister, the agreement is expected to deepen bilateral trade ties, improve market access, and strengthen supply chain integration between India and Oman. Goyal confirmed progress in negotiations with Chile, particularly in the area of critical minerals and mining cooperation. He noted that both countries are exploring mutually beneficial arrangements that could pave the way for a comprehensive free trade agreement.
India has increasingly focused on securing access to critical minerals needed for advanced manufacturing, renewable energy technologies, and the clean energy transition. Cooperation with resource-rich countries is considered an important element of the country’s long-term industrial and technological development strategy.
The minister highlighted that India continues to strengthen its international trade position through resilience, economic stability, and expanding diplomatic engagement.
Analysts note that the proposed agreements with Oman and Chile could enhance India’s role in international trade corridors, supply chains, and support the country’s ambitions to become a major global manufacturing and innovation hub.
-
![]()
Economy10.09.26BRICS Business Council calls for stronger practical business cooperation -
![]()
Economy10.09.26Expert: BRICS marks two decades with new financial and digital cooperation mechanisms -
![]()
Economy10.09.26Addis Ababa ranks second globally in climate resilience -
![]()
Economy10.09.26Representatives of BRICS countries to discuss development of port cities at forum in Russia -
![]()
Economy10.09.26Expert: BRICS has become example of new and equal model of cooperation between countries -
![]()
Economy10.09.26China-Laos Railway carries 244,000 cross-border passenger trips in first eight months
-
![Vladimir Putin]()
Vladimir PutinPresident of Russia"We are developing mutual trade, which is growing; it increased by over 12 per cent last year. We have a joint commission working in this sphere. Our focus is on agriculture, shipbuilding, information technology and energy, including nuclear power. We have signed a free trade agreement between the Eurasian Economic Union and Indonesia. Jakarta is our reliable and old friend within ASEAN. We are working together at all international platforms, including the UN" -
![Vladimir Putin]()
Vladimir PutinPresident of Russia"More and more Iranian students are choosing Russian education. We are very pleased about this. A great many future doctors are studying in Russia. In the 2025–2026 academic year, the number of Iranian students in Russia approached 10,000, with 802 of them studying at the expense of the Russian state budget" -
![Xi Jinping]()
Xi JinpingPresident of the People’s Republic of China"The foundation of our bilateral relations will only grow stronger, and we will confidently move forward to a better future. […] The striving of nations on our planet for peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit remains unchanged. The vital mission of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation is to maintain stability and promote the development of our region" -
![Alisher Salomov]()
Alisher SalomovAdviser to the Chairman of the National Committee for Ecology and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan"First and foremost, I would like to highlight the importance of this Central Asia–Russia initiative, because environmental problems know no borders, and only a shared understanding of these problems and the search for joint solutions can deliver positive results" -
![Joao Paulo Capobianco]()
Joao Paulo CapobiancoBrazilian Minister of the Environment and Climate Change"The BRICS countries have a very high level of responsibility because they share an important part of the world's biodiversity, landscapes, populations, food production and water resources. So, we have an opportunity to lead by example. We have our development bank, which can demonstrate and develop new ways of financing programmes. We can reduce the risks for private capital to invest in restoration and efforts to combat desertification"
