Piyush Goyal recently met with Airbus India and South Asia President and Managing Director Jurgen Westermeier to discuss ways to strengthen aerospace manufacturing and aviation capabilities in India. The meeting aligned with India’s broader goal of increasing domestic production in the aerospace sector and positioning the country as a global centre for aircraft manufacturing and related components.

According to Goyal’s post on X, the discussions focused on expanding sourcing from India, improving manufacturing capacity, strengthening supply chains, enhancing maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services, and promoting skill development initiatives. He said these measures are intended to boost India’s role as a key global aviation hub and deepen cooperation with Airbus.

The talks come as global aerospace firms increasingly view India as a strategic destination for manufacturing and sourcing, supported by government efforts to encourage localisation, workforce development, and stronger integration into global supply networks. Westermeier had also supported the interim framework for a bilateral trade agreement between India and the United States, calling it an opportunity for Indian suppliers to expand globally. He noted that such policy moves are not just about tariff reductions but about enabling broader participation of Indian companies in international aerospace supply chains.

He further highlighted that stable trade policies and tariff clarity are essential for long-term growth in capital-intensive industries like aerospace. Reduced trade barriers, he said, would help Indian suppliers integrate more efficiently into the global aviation ecosystem. The meeting reflects India’s ongoing push to strengthen its aerospace industry, develop advanced MRO capabilities, and build a skilled workforce, while Airbus continues to deepen its engagement with the Indian market.