India and the United States agreed in February to work on the first phase of a trade deal to be concluded late this year, with a view to reaching two-way trade worth $500 billion by 2030
India should reconsider negotiating a comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA) with the US as it could pose challenges to domestic sectors like agriculture, automobiles and pharmaceuticals, think tank GTRI said on Thursday. It cautioned that under trade pact with the US, many of Washington's demands such as weakening India's minimum price support system for farmers, allowing genetically modified food imports, lowering agricultural tariffs, changing patent laws to extend drug monopolies, and letting American e-commerce giants sell directly to consumers pose major risks. The risks include harm to farmer incomes, food security, biodiversity, public health, and the survival of small retailers, the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said. "Reducing tariffs on farm goods could affect the livelihoods of hundreds of millions, while slashing duties on cars could undercut a sector that accounts for nearly a third of India's manufacturing output. The collapse of Australia's car industry .
The 90-day deferral of reciprocal tariffs decided by the US has come as a major relief as it provides a crucial window for pushing the talks on the proposed bilateral trade agreement between India and America, exporters said on Thursday. They said that diplomatic engagement and fast-tracking negotiations for the trade pact will help India deal with these tariffs. "It is a good decision by the Trump administration. We have been assured by the commerce ministry that the agreement will be finalised at the earliest," Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) President S C Ralhan said. He added that the move reflects a strategic pause aimed at avoiding immediate economic fallout while allowing space for potential resolutions. "A huge relief to our exporters. The 90-day deferral of the reciprocal tariff provides a critical window for diplomatic engagement and trade negotiations," Ralhan added. Welcoming the USA's decision, Mumbai-based exporter S K Saraf said that Indian industry
India should accelerate discussions for the proposed bilateral trade agreement with the US as the deal could help secure preferential market access, improve investor protections, and encourage technology partnerships between the two countries, experts said on Monday. They also said that the pact is critical for India to address long-standing non-tariff barriers in sectors like chemicals, telecom equipment, and medical devices, which were explicitly flagged in the US tariff statement. Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) for standards and testing protocols could be a strategic step forward in reducing regulatory friction and improving market access in these sensitive sectors, they added. Even though the new US tariffs might put short-term pressure on India's key export sectors, the broader strategic landscape offers significant long-term advantages, Rudra Kumar Pandey, Partner, Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co, said. He said that India can leverage its differential tariff exposure,
New Delhi has promised to step up energy purchases from the United States to $25 billion in the near future from $15 billion last year
Modi is preparing additional tariff cuts ahead of his meeting with Trump that could boost American exports to India and avoid a potential trade war, government officials said
Discussions held in New Delhi highlighted areas of collaboration, including advancements in 5G and 6G networks, artificial intelligence, cross-border data flows, and promotion of Open RAN
India's electronics exports, driving over 62% trade surplus, to dominate US talks
Two specific targets for this elevated engagement were semiconductors and defence production
The Trade Policy Forum, revived in 2021 after a gap for four years, will reconvene on a ministerial level before end of 2023
US Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen will visit India to participate in the US-India Economic and Financial Partnership on November 11 and discuss how the two countries can work together to deepen their economic ties, according to an official announcement here on Friday. In New Delhi, Yellen will highlight the strength of America's partnership with India, which continues to deepen, the Treasury said in a statement. Yellen will meet with technology sector leaders and visit the Microsoft India Development Centre, where she will deliver remarks on the United States' economic partnership with India, it said. She would also hold a bilateral meeting with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Following the US-India Economic and Financial Partnership (EFP) dialogue, Yellen will join Sitharaman for a fireside discussion with executives from major Indian companies and American companies operating in India. To conclude the day, Yellen and Sitharaman will sign a joint statement on
There was fairly serious negotiation between India and the Trump administration on resolving the outstanding trade issues as well as to clinch a trade deal, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said
The third edition of the two-plus-two dialogue between India and the US on October 27 will entail a comprehensive discussion on cross-cutting bilateral issues
US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo and Defence Secretary Mark T Esper will visit India on October 26 and 27 for the talks, it said
Govt had earlier criticised free trade deals for boosting cheap imports into the country
Goyal raises totalisation issue during talks with Ross, also expresses concern over Indian exports being barred due to child labour issues
'It was a very heartening trip, historic I'd even say, as you look at where we've been over so many years as we've grown closer and closer together, ' Mattis
US reiterates support for India's immediate accession to Nuclear Suppliers Group as a full member
Opposition claimed that India "accepted" the American theory that identifies terror & Islam as one
Investment treaty, trade barriers to be taken up by new US administration