Govt readies steps ahead of likely bilateral trade deal with the US

Engaging with various departments, apprising them of sector-specific dynamics

Days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump agreed to negotiate the first phase of a bilateral trade agreement (BTA), government departments have started doing groundwork for the upcoming talks to finalise the contours of the proposed trade deal.

 

The commerce department has initiated preliminary discussions with various government departments and ministries 

to gain a deeper understanding of sector-specific dynamics, trade intricacies, and India’s “offensive interests”.

 

The departments have also been asked to explore what could be the ask from both sides, including the extent to which India can give tariff concessions and what it can reasonably ask