Piyush Goyal aims to deepen India-Nike partnership in manufacturing and sports

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal expressed eagerness to strengthen India's partnership with Nike following discussions with the company's senior leaders in the United States.

Goyal shared on X a note from cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar, who reminded that he was the first Indian athlete to sign with Nike USA in the 1980s and praised the Nike campus in Portland.

"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 quoted from Gavaskar's message.

The minister highlighted that the collaboration, which began on the cricket field, now holds promise to boost manufacturing in India, create employment, enhance local sourcing, and generate opportunities for young people.

In his talks with Nike, Goyal explored ways to deepen the firm's footprint in India's manufacturing sector, strengthen local sourcing, and contribute to the broader sports ecosystem.

visited Chicago after representing India at the G20 Trade Ministers' Meeting held in Milwaukee, where discussions included forced labour, the future of the World Trade Organization, and challenges of state-supported excess production capacity.

India and the US maintain a wide-ranging commercial relationship covering goods, services, technology, manufacturing, and investments. Goyal's proposal for a multi-sectoral Indian business delegation aims to create new opportunities for bilateral investment and partnerships.

Addressing Indian-Americans at an event organised by the US Indian Community Foundation in Chicago, Goyal announced plans to bring a large multi-sectoral business delegation to the US, possibly in early 2024.