The Ministry of External Affairs said on Friday that the latest round of negotiations on trade agreement between India and the United States had been “positive and visionary”, which includes comprehensive issues with the aim of reaching the early agreement.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal said in a weekly press conference, “We have a delegation led by the United States business representative, Brandon Lynch, who held a meeting with senior officials of the Ministry of Commerce on 16 September to carry forward the ongoing talks with the US.”
In addition, the Ministry of External Affairs highlighted that “the discussion was positive and visionary, which included various aspects of the trade agreement, as well as decided that” efforts should be intensified to fulfill the transactionally beneficial trade agreement. “
Jaiswal reiterated India’s long -term commitment to strengthen relations with Washington. The spokesperson said, “As far as the Indo-US relations are concerned, let me tell you that we are committed to this special partnership, the US to carry forward our widespread global strategic partnership and to take new heights.”
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry said in a statement that a team of officials of the United States Trade Representative Office led by Brandon Lynch, the Chief Conversant of the Indo-US bilateral trade agreement, came to India on 16 September.
It said, “He discussed Indo-US-US trade relations including Indo-US bilateral trade agreement with officials of the Department of Commerce led by the Special Secretary of the Department of Commerce.”
The statement said, “Acknowledging the permanent importance of bilateral trade between India and the US, the discussion was positive and visionary, which discussed various aspects of the trade agreement. It was decided to intensify the effort to fulfill the mutually beneficial trade agreement quickly.”
The first five round of talks have been held for the trade agreement between India and the US. The last round conversation with the US in August was canceled. India and the US have been talking for interim trade agreement for the last few months.
US President Donald Trump announced a 25 percent tariff on Indian goods in July, while an interim trade agreement between India and US had expectations, which would help to avoid otherwise increased tariffs. Later, he imposed another tariff of 25 percent, citing continuous imports of Russian oil by India, making the total tariff to 50 percent. These 50 percent tariffs came into force from August 27.
India objected to the American demand to open agriculture and dairy areas. Scriptures and dairy are important and sensitive areas for India as they provide livelihood to a large section of people. India and America started talking for a justified, balanced and mutually beneficial bilateral trade agreement (BTA) in March this year, which aims to meet the first phase of the agreement till October-November 2025.
