Catenaa, Saturday, June 14, 2025- Indian and US officials have launched high-stakes trade negotiations in New Delhi, aiming to finalize a tariff agreement before a July 9 deadline set by President Donald Trump.
The talks, held behind closed doors, focus on tariff cuts in key sectors including agriculture and automobiles, as well as expanded market access.
India has proposed lowering its average tariffs to 10%, matching U.S. rates, contingent on reciprocal concessions, sources said.
The US delegation is led by senior representatives from the Office of the United States Trade Representative, while India’s team is headed by chief negotiator Rajesh Agrawal.
Trade Minister Piyush Goyal is expected to join upon returning from Italy.
Negotiators are working to balance Washington’s push for greater access to India’s farm and dairy markets with India’s demand for better export conditions and supply chain partnerships.
The talks follow a February agreement outlining a phased roadmap to boost bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030. India posted a $45.7 billion trade surplus with the U.S. last year.
Separately, India’s evolving crypto policy is gaining attention as officials consider how digital asset regulation could complement trade and investment goals.
Industry advocates say tax clarity and regulatory reform could attract crypto firms back to India, aiding broader economic ambitions.
US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick expressed optimism about the negotiations’ progress, though no official statements have been made about the current round.
