Commerce minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday said he expects India-US ties to strengthen under US President-elect Donald Trump, describing him as a “friend of India” and expressing optimism about bilateral relations.

Goyal dismissed concerns over Trump’s past criticism of India’s trade policies, including high tariffs on foreign goods, and said India’s partnership with Washington has grown consistently across multiple administrations.

“Mr Trump is a friend of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and this friendship will only continue to blossom,” Goyal said during a media briefing. “We should let the new government in the US take charge and express their official views, but I do not foresee any problems whatsoever.”

Responding to questions about India’s laptop import policy, Goyal said new guidelines were still being deliberated. The government had previously extended its approval system for IT hardware imports, including laptops and tablets, until December 31.

Goyal clarified that no discussions had taken place on potential investments by Elon Musk-owned Tesla and Starlink. He noted that these matters fell under the purview of the ministries of heavy industries and space, respectively.

“We haven’t had any discussions to the best of my knowledge,” he said.

Single-window

Later in the day, the minister slammed industry for the slow take-up of the single-window clearance system.

Addressing the second DPIIT-CII National Conference on Ease of Doing Business, Goyal exhorted the industry to use the single-window clearance system or else the government would consider closing the scheme.

The National Single Window System (NSWS) hosts applications for approvals from 32 central departments and 29 state governments.

“The choice is now with you (industry). If you feel that you are not interested in it...I am spending a lot of money on it and I have come to a stage where I am inclined to abort the entire idea,” he said.

He also expressed his dismay over industry not showing the required interest in the national land bank created by the government.

The government, he added, is actively looking to decriminalise 300 more laws.