Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday, 5 October 2026, expressed keenness to deepen India's partnership with Nike following meetings with the sportswear giant's senior leadership in the United States. The statement comes as India actively courts major global brands to expand manufacturing footprints and job creation on home soil.

Sunil Gavaskar's Note Sets the Tone

In an X post, Goyal shared that legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar had sent him a note recalling that he was the first Indian athlete to sign with Nike USA in the 1980s. Gavaskar also fondly remembered the Nike campus in Portland, describing it as rich in sporting history.

'He wrote that he was the first Indian athlete to sign with Nike USA in the 80s and fondly recalled how terrific the Nike campus in Portland is, rich in sporting history,' Goyal said, quoting the note directly.

Goyal's post drew a direct line from that historic association to today's ambitions: 'What began as a partnership on the cricket field now has the potential to power manufacturing in India, create jobs, strengthen local sourcing, and open new opportunities for our youth.'

What the India-Nike Talks Covered

According to the minister, discussions with Nike explored ways to deepen the company's presence across manufacturing, local sourcing, and the broader sports ecosystem in India. No specific investment figures or timelines were disclosed publicly, but the scope signals a multi-dimensional engagement beyond retail.

This comes amid India's broader push to position itself as a global manufacturing alternative, particularly for consumer goods companies looking to diversify supply chains away from a single country.

G20 Trade Ministers' Meeting Background

Goyal's Nike meetings followed his participation in the G20 Trade Ministers' Meeting in Milwaukee, where trade ministers discussed issues including forced labour, the future of the World Trade Organization (WTO), and state-supported excess production capacity — themes closely linked to India's competitive positioning in global trade.

The minister subsequently travelled to Chicago, where he addressed an event organised by the US Indian Community Foundation. Speaking to Indian-Americans, Goyal said India plans to bring a large, multi-sectoral business delegation to the United States, possibly in the first quarter of next year.

Broader India-US Commercial Ties

India and the United States share a broad commercial relationship spanning goods and services, technology, manufacturing, and investment. Goyal's proposed multi-sectoral delegation would provide an additional platform for companies from both nations to explore investment and commercial partnerships, potentially giving momentum to negotiations that have been underway for months.

Whether Nike accelerates its India manufacturing presence in the near term will be closely watched, as the outcome could influence other global sportswear and footwear brands weighing similar decisions.