GJEPC felicitated Shri Piyush Goyal, Hon’ble Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, and Shri Jitin Prasada, Hon’ble Minister of State for Commerce & Industry and Electronics & IT, for the successful India-US Interim Agreement.
The GJEPC delegation along with prominent trade members met the ministers in New Delhi on 11th February 2026 to also discuss strengthening exports and improving the trade environment for the gem and jewellery sector. The GJEPC contingent was led by Shri Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, and included Shri Anoop Mehta, Convener – Diamond Panel; Shri Mital Doshi, Convener – Banking, Insurance & Taxation; Shri Antarpal Singh Sawhney, Regional Chairperson – Northern Region; and Shri K.K. Duggal, Director – Policy. Among the prominent trade members present were Shri Govind Dholakia of SRK & MP, Rajya Sabha; Shri Milan Parikh of Mahendra Brothers; and Shri Alkesh Shah of Goldstar Jewellery.
Shri Bhansali said the agreement resets the economics of India-US trade, particularly after the rollback of steep tariffs on Indian diamond and gemstone imports to 0% and to 18% on jewellery. The relief is expected to restore competitiveness and provide stability to exporters, with the US remaining one of India’s largest markets for gems and jewellery. Industry leaders noted that the move has renewed business confidence.
At a wider meeting with 35 Export Promotion Councils and industry associations, Shri Goyal urged exporters to actively use recently signed Free Trade Agreements to expand their presence in global markets. He called on industry to penetrate new destinations, upgrade quality standards and sharpen competitiveness to fully capture opportunities opened by trade deals with developed economies. The minister said these agreements aim to generate jobs, support MSMEs and give Indian goods and services preferential access abroad.
Sector bodies, including GJEPC and other councils representing textiles, leather, engineering goods, chemicals, handicrafts, etc., welcomed the government’s trade engagement with the US and ongoing support under the Export Promotion Mission.
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