The long-anticipated bilateral trade agreement between India and the United States has reached its final stage, with both sides engaged in intensive negotiations in Washington, D.C. The ongoing talks, held from April 20 to 22, aim to resolve the remaining contentious issues and finalize a comprehensive trade framework between the two countries.
The Indian delegation is led by Darpan Jain, Additional Secretary and chief negotiator from the Ministry of Commerce, along with around 12 senior officials representing the Commerce Ministry, Customs, and the Ministry of External Affairs. On the US side, negotiations are being led by Brendan Lynch from the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR). Officials have indicated that consensus has already been reached on most major issues, with only a few technical matters pending resolution.
A central focus of the discussions is the reduction of tariffs and expansion of bilateral trade flows. Both sides are working to enhance market access and improve trade competitiveness, with particular emphasis on simplifying trade barriers and strengthening supply chain integration between the two economies.
The talks also address concerns over the US-imposed 10% baseline tariff on imports from all countries, introduced earlier this year and expected to remain in effect until July 2026. This tariff has raised concerns in India, particularly for export-driven sectors such as textiles, jewellery, and auto components, which are expected to face reduced competitiveness in the American market.
India is reportedly pushing for either an exemption from the additional 10% tariff or a reduction in existing duty structures to protect its exporters. Currently, Indian goods face an average tariff of around 18% in the US, and the additional surcharge has further increased cost pressures on Indian shipments to the American market.
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal stated that the first phase of the agreement is nearly complete and expressed optimism that India will secure fair and balanced access to the US market. Meanwhile, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor described the deal as a “win-win” arrangement, noting that stronger economic cooperation between the world’s largest and fastest-growing economies could significantly reshape global trade relations.