Wed Oct 15 14:23:28 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the provided text:

**India Signals Readiness to Boost U.S. Energy Imports Amid Trade Talks**

**New Delhi – October 15, 2025** – India is signaling a willingness to significantly increase energy imports from the United States as trade negotiations between the two nations continue. Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal, who will join the Indian delegation in the U.S. tomorrow, stated that India could potentially increase its U.S. energy purchases by $12-15 billion. This move aims to address the substantial merchandise trade deficit between the two countries, which stood at $45.8 billion in 2024-25.

“As a country, we will be very happy to buy more energy from the U.S., subject to availability at the right price,” Mr. Agrawal told reporters. He emphasized India’s strategic interest in diversifying its energy import portfolio.

The Indian negotiating team is currently in Washington, D.C., working towards a “win-win solution” that tackles existing tariff issues. While a full-fledged negotiation isn’t possible due to the ongoing U.S. government shutdown and reduced manpower, both sides are actively seeking a pathway to resolve current trade challenges.

These discussions follow a directive from Prime Minister Modi and President Trump earlier this year to negotiate a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA), with a deadline of October-November 2025 for the first tranche of the pact. Five rounds of negotiations have already been completed.

Relations between India and the U.S. have faced strain after the Trump administration imposed tariffs on Indian goods, including additional duties on Russian crude oil imports. The Indian industry has also voiced concerns regarding the new U.S. H1B visa policies.

Despite these challenges, recent communications between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump have sparked optimism for a positive outcome. Talks were recently held between Assistant U.S. Trade Representative Brendan Lynch and Indian officials, with both sides committed to a mutually beneficial agreement.

The proposed BTA aims to more than double bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030. The U.S. currently stands as India’s largest trading partner, with trade valued at $131.84 billion in 2024-25.

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