Piyush Goyal calls serving India under PM Modi 'one of the greatest honours'
Synopsis
On his birthday, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal called serving India under PM Modi ‘one of the greatest honours’ of his life — even as he was in Berne holding talks on implementing the India-Switzerland Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement. The dual moment captures Goyal’s dual role: loyal party face and active trade diplomat.
Key Takeaways
Piyush Goyal called serving India under PM Modi ‘one of the greatest honours of my life’ on 13 June , responding to birthday greetings posted on X.
PM Modi praised Goyal for ‘boosting trade and commerce’ and strengthening India’s self-reliance.
Home Minister Amit Shah also conveyed wishes, citing Goyal’s role in the government’s development agenda.
Goyal is visiting Berne, Switzerland for talks on implementing the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) and enhancing bilateral trade.
He is scheduled to meet Federal President Guy Parmelin and State Secretary Helene Budliger Artieda during the visit.
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday, 13 June described serving Bharat under Prime Minister Narendra Modi as ‘one of the greatest honours of my life,’ responding warmly to birthday greetings extended by the Prime Minister on social media platform X.
Goyal's Response to PM Modi
In his post on X, Goyal said the ‘nation is fortunate to have you as the longest serving Prime Minister’ and reaffirmed his commitment to work ‘tirelessly under your guidance in our transformative journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047 and a prosperous future for every Bharatiya.’ He added that Modi’s ‘vision and commitment to nation-building will always be a constant source of inspiration and strength.’
What PM Modi and Amit Shah Said
Prime Minister Modi, in his own X post, noted that the Commerce Minister ‘is making a great contribution in boosting trade and commerce, thereby strengthening our self-reliance and making India prosperous,’ and offered prayers for his long and healthy life. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also conveyed birthday wishes, highlighting Goyal’s role in advancing the government’s development agenda.
Goyal's Switzerland Visit and TEPA Talks
The birthday exchange came as Goyal was on an official visit to Berne, the capital of Switzerland, for high-level discussions with senior Swiss government representatives and leaders of the country’s pharmaceutical industry. According to an official statement, the deliberations centred on implementing the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), resolving operational issues arising from the pact, and deepening bilateral trade, investment, and institutional cooperation.
During the visit, Goyal was scheduled to meet State Secretary for Economic Affairs Helene Budliger Artieda and Federal President Guy Parmelin. He was also set to engage with leading representatives of the Swiss pharmaceutical sector.
Goyal's Ministerial Track Record
Goyal has held an extensive portfolio of senior ministerial positions over the years. He previously served as Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha and has headed ministries spanning Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Textiles, Railways, Finance, Corporate Affairs, Coal, Power, New and Renewable Energy, and Mines. His current Commerce and Industry brief places him at the centre of India’s trade diplomacy, including ongoing free trade agreement negotiations with major economies.
The Switzerland visit signals continued momentum in India’s push to operationalise TEPA, one of the more consequential bilateral trade agreements of recent years, as New Delhi seeks to expand its footprint in European markets.
Point of View
But Goyal’s simultaneous presence in Berne for TEPA implementation talks is the more substantive story. India’s free trade agreement pipeline — with the UK, EU, and now Switzerland in focus — is at a critical execution stage, and operational hiccups in early agreements like TEPA will set the template for what follows. Whether the Switzerland visit yields concrete timelines on pharmaceutical market access and investment protections is the question mainstream coverage of the birthday greetings largely missed.
NationPress
29 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Piyush Goyal say about serving under PM Modi?
Goyal said serving Bharat under PM Modi has been ‘one of the greatest honours of my life,’ in a post on X responding to birthday greetings from the Prime Minister on 13 June. He also reaffirmed his commitment to working towards Viksit Bharat 2047.
What did PM Modi say about Piyush Goyal on his birthday?
PM Modi posted on X that Goyal ‘is making a great contribution in boosting trade and commerce, thereby strengthening our self-reliance and making India prosperous,’ and offered prayers for his long and healthy life.
Why is Piyush Goyal visiting Switzerland?
Goyal is in Berne for official discussions focused on implementing the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) between India and Switzerland, addressing operational issues from the agreement, and strengthening bilateral trade and investment ties.
Who is Piyush Goyal meeting in Switzerland?
He is scheduled to meet Federal President Guy Parmelin and State Secretary for Economic Affairs Helene Budliger Artieda, as well as leading representatives of Switzerland’s pharmaceutical industry.
What is the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA)?
TEPA is a bilateral trade and economic partnership agreement between India and Switzerland. Goyal’s Berne visit aims to resolve operational issues arising from its implementation and deepen trade, investment, and institutional cooperation between the two countries.
