India-US Trade Talks Back on Track – Piyush Goyal
Trade talks between India and the United States have resumed with fresh optimism. Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is expected to visit Washington within days to further negotiate a bilateral trade agreement. Recent discussions in New Delhi between US negotiator Brendan Lynch and Indian counterpart Rajesh Agrawal are said to have been “positive” and “forward-looking.”
Key Issues on the Table
One of the main sticking points remains the tariffs the US imposed on Indian goods. From late August, the US added a 25% tariff on products tied to India’s oil imports from Russia, on top of existing reciprocal tariffs. India has expressed concerns that these levies are hurting its exporters in sectors such as textiles and footwear. Both sides are said to be working toward compromises to bridge the gaps.
What to Expect from the US Visit
Goyal’s trip is expected to build on the momentum of recent rounds of negotiation. It aims to make substantive progress on tariff issues, regulatory hurdles, and trade barriers. There is also interest in setting clearer timelines for parts of the agreement. But sources caution that a final deal may still take time, depending on how much flexibility both countries are willing to offer.
