Sixth Round Of US-India Bilateral Trade Talks Scheduled on Aug. 25

New Delhi: As the 'intensive' trade negotiations are happening across various channels, including India's most important partner like the US, commerce secretary Sunil Barthwal on Thursday said that the status of a US delegation visiting India for the next round of bilateral trade talks will be known closer to the scheduled date of August 25.

“We are already engaged in the talks as the US is a very important trading partner for us. Closer to the date (ie; August 25), which is the end of the last week of August, you will be able to know how that round will be progressing. We will apprise you soon,” the secretary said.

So far, five rounds of talks have been completed for the proposed bilateral trade agreement (BTA). A US team is scheduled to visit India from August 25 for the sixth round of talks. So far there are no formal communications from the US on the August 25 visit for the next round of trade talks.

When asked about the impact of US tariffs on Indian exports, the official said that the commerce ministry is in touch with stakeholders on the issue. “The BTA talks are going on and we are consistently engaged with them. These discussions are happening at three levels — negotiating teams, ministers and at diplomatic levels,” Barthwal said.

These remarks are important as after imposing a staggering 50 per cent duty on Indian goods, US President Donald Trump has also ruled out any trade talks between the two countries until the tariff issue is resolved. The US is pressing for greater market access in politically sensitive areas such as agri and dairy sectors, which India cannot accept as it affects the livelihood of small and marginal farmers.