India-US Trade Deal: Chief Negotiators To Begin 4-day Talks From Monday
31 May 2026 6:25 PM IST31 May 2026 6:25 PM IST
The chief negotiator of the US, Brendan Lynch and his India’s counterpart Darpan Jain, who is an additional secretary in the department of commerce in the commerce ministry, will lead the 4-day long talks where some key areas on the agenda include market access, non-tariff barriers, customs procedures, trade facilitation, investment promotion, energy and economic security among other issues
Earlier on February 7, India and the US had issued a joint statement, outlining the framework for the first phase of the BTA, referred to as the interim trade agreement. The next step involves finalising the legal text of the proposed deal. The framework also reaffirmed both countries' commitment to continuing negotiations on the wider trade agreement. — Representational Image
New Delhi: India and the United States are set to begin a fresh round of negotiations on a proposed interim trade agreement, with chief negotiators from both sides holding four-day talks in New Delhi from Monday. The discussions will be led by US negotiator Brendan Lynch and India’s chief negotiator Darpan Jain, additional secretary in the department of commerce.
Officials said the talks would focus on market access, non-tariff barriers, customs procedures, trade facilitation, investment promotion, energy and economic security, among other issues.
The commerce ministry said the negotiations aim to finalise an interim trade pact while advancing discussions under a broader bilateral trade agreement (BTA). The current round is expected to work towards converting the framework agreed in February into a legally binding arrangement.
Under the framework announced on February 7, both countries outlined the contours of the first phase of the BTA and committed to continuing negotiations on a comprehensive agreement.
The US had indicated tariff reductions on Indian goods, including lowering duties to 18 per cent from higher levels and withdrawing certain tariffs linked to India’s purchase of Russian oil. However, subsequent changes in US tariff policy have led to a review of the framework during the ongoing negotiations.
A meeting scheduled in February was postponed following a ruling by the US Supreme Court on tariff measures and subsequent policy changes. The two sides later held discussions in Washington in April, with the Indian delegation visiting from April 20 to 23.
The current round of talks in New Delhi is aimed at carrying forward those discussions and finalising the proposed agreement.
India has offered to reduce or eliminate tariffs on several US industrial and agricultural products, while indicating willingness to increase imports from the United States across sectors including energy, aviation, technology and raw materials as part of the proposed pact.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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