Sat Apr 19 13:00:00 UTC 2025: ## India and US to Intensify Bilateral Trade Agreement Talks
**New Delhi, April 19, 2025** – India and the United States are poised to significantly advance negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement (BTA), utilizing a 90-day tariff pause announced by President Trump. A high-level Indian delegation, led by Additional Secretary Rajesh Agrawal (incoming Commerce Secretary), will travel to Washington D.C. next week for three days of talks beginning April 23rd.
The proposed BTA, encompassing 19 chapters covering tariffs, non-tariff barriers, and customs facilitation, aims to more than double bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030. Discussions will focus on the “level of ambition” – the extent of trade liberalization – and the negotiation pathway. Both countries are optimistic about reaching an interim agreement within the 90-day window, if mutually beneficial terms are achieved.
The talks follow recent high-level discussions in Delhi and build on the strong trading relationship between the two nations. The U.S. has been India’s largest trading partner for four consecutive years, with India holding a substantial trade surplus. However, the U.S. has expressed concerns about this deficit and previously imposed tariffs, subsequently suspended for 90 days.
While the U.S. seeks concessions on goods such as automobiles, wines, and agricultural products, India is anticipated to push for duty cuts on labor-intensive sectors like textiles and apparel. Both sides are committed to finalizing the first phase of the agreement by September or October of this year. The successful conclusion of the BTA would represent a major step forward in strengthening the economic ties between India and the United States.
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