India-US Trade Talks Described as “Positive and Forward-Looking”
India and the United States have held fresh trade discussions described by both sides as positive and forward-looking. These talks come in the wake of the US imposing a 50% tariff on certain Indian goods due to concerns over India’s purchase of Russian oil. Meetings were held in New Delhi with senior negotiators from both countries.
Areas of Agreement and Dispute
The discussions covered bilateral trade barriers and explored ways to conclude a mutually beneficial trade agreement. A contentious point has been India’s retention of tariffs on agricultural and dairy imports, which the US wants reduced. India has maintained that any deal must protect its domestic priorities.
Use of Tariffs
Earlier, the US raised tariffs on Indian imports — first a “reciprocal” 25%, then an additional 25% penalty tied to oil purchases from Russia — bringing the total to 50%. India has criticized the policy as unfair. These recent talks appear aimed at easing the tension and finding workarounds for export uncertainties faced by Indian producers.
Next Steps
Both governments have agreed to intensify their negotiation efforts to reach a trade deal as early as possible. Timeframes and specific deliverables have not been confirmed. India’s commerce ministry emphasized the importance of concluding a deal without compromising domestic interests.
