Page 7 - Trade Talks

Active negotiations under way with over a dozen countries to finalise BIT

India is actively negotiating bilateral investment treaties (BITs) with over a dozen countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Israel, Oman, European Union, Switzerland, Russia, and Australia, a government official said. Besides these nations, talks are underway with Tajikistan, Cambodia, Uruguay, Maldives, Switzerland, and Kuwait. These investment treaties help in protecting and promoting investments in each other's countries. With India approaching to become the third-largest economy and a hub for global manufacturing, the government is taking a series of measures to further improve its investment regime that encourages investors. "It is expected that in the next 3-6 months, BIT with some of these countries will be finalised and announced," the official added. The government in the last Budget has announced revamping the current model Bilateral Investment Treaty to make it more investor-friendly and attract foreign players. The country signed BITs with two countries in 2024. La

India-US interim trade deal nearly sealed after a week of intense talks

First tranche of bilateral trade pact likely in 2-3 days to avert higher US tariffs

US State dept calls India a key partner, wants fair and reciprocal trade

Houston underlined the United States' aim of establishing a "fair and reciprocal" trade relationship with its partners, in line with the Trump administration's "America First" agenda

Best of BS Opinion: India could face trade and investment challenges

Today's opinion page pieces look at the many challenges India faces, from trade, logistics reforms, AI in governance and a demographic time-bomb

US crude oil exports jump in hope for India as trade treaty deadline nears

Total imports from the US stood at $8.9 billion in April-May 2025, up from $7 billion in the same period a year earlier, Indian customs data showed

India firm on agriculture as US trade discussions enter crucial stage

The ongoing in-person round of talks between New Delhi and Washington is crucial, considering that the end of the 90-day pause on the US's plan to impose country-specific reciprocal tariffs on July 9

India-US BTA: Sangh affiliates draw red line over GM crops, dairy products

The Sangh Parivar has also pointed to the efforts by US Senator Lindsey Graham to move a Bill that proposes steep economic penalties on India

India shares discussion paper ahead of trade discussions with Peru

Next round of negotiations in July

India aims to finalise early tranche of US trade pact before July 9

Absence of US Trade Promotion Authority may prolong broader BTA negotiations, but India hopes to secure early agreement on tariffs by July 9 deadline

Trump open to extending July 9 trade talks deadline, to send out letters

The US President also announced that they would soon start sending out letters, possibly in the coming weeks, mentioning the terms of trade deals to dozens of other countries

'China is not easy,' says Trump as trade talks move to second day in London

The US and China are holding a second day of talks Tuesday in London aimed at easing their trade dispute, after President Donald Trump said China is not easy but the US was doing well at the negotiations. A Chinese delegation led by Vice Premier He Lifeng met US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer for several hours on Monday at Lancaster House, an ornate 200-year-old mansion near Buckingham Palace. Wang Wentao, China's commerce minister, and trade negotiator Li Chenggang are also in Beijing's delegation. Asked late Monday how the negotiations were going, Trump told reporters: We are doing well with China. China's not easy. The two sides are trying to build on negotiations in Geneva last month that agreed to a 90-day suspension of most of the 100%-plus tariffs they had imposed on each other in an escalating trade war that had sparked fears of recession. Since the Geneva talks, the US and China have exchanged an

US-China trade talks enter day 2 in London amid rare earths, export dispute

US-China trade talks aim to defuse rising tensions over chip exports and critical minerals, revive Geneva truce, and ease strain on global supply chains amid signs of economic stress

India, US race to seal interim tariff deal ahead of Trump's July deadline

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said in Washington on Monday that trade negotiations were progressing and a deal could be finalised soon

US delegation in India to discuss trade pact: What will be on agenda?

A high-level US delegation visits New Delhi to advance bilateral trade negotiations, focusing on tariff reductions, market access, and resolving disputes ahead of July 9 deadline

US signals trade deal with India before July 9 reciprocal tariff deadline

Ready to give New Delhi preferential access in select sectors: Lutnick

Vikram Misri calls for early convening of India-US strategic trade talks

Misri is currently in the United States for a three-day visit, scheduled from May 27 to 29, during which he will meet with senior administration officials

India seeks to shield small dairy farmers in free trade talks with US

The United States, whose dairy exports reached $8.22 billion last year, is pushing for greater access to India's dairy market, which remains shielded by high import duties and non-tariff barriers

Pursue trade deals, but focus equally on enhancing industry competitiveness

India retaliated against some ill-considered statements and actions by the Bangladesh government by closing its land borders for import of some goods from that country

Indonesian President, Chinese Premier discuss trade amid US trade war

Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto on Sunday to discuss ways to expand trade and investment during the US global trade war and as economic globalisation faces headwinds. Li arrived in Indonesia's capital, Jakarta, on Saturday afternoon for a three-day visit to Southeast Asia's largest economy. It was the first stop of his first overseas visit this year. Indonesia and China are member states of the Group 20 major developing countries and emerging economies and of BRICS. Li brought 60 Chinese prominent businesspeople for his address to the Indonesia-China Business Reception on Sunday evening. He emphasised in his remarks that China's economy has achieved rapid growth this year despite increasing external challenges. The current international situation is a stalemate, Li said at the event which was also attended by Subianto, Unilateralism and protectionism are on the rise, bullying behaviour is increasing. Li noted that this year marks the 70th .

India, EU push for early harvest trade pact amid ongoing FTA talks

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has met European Commissioner for Trade Maros Sefcovic in Brussels, their second meeting within a month, to discuss the proposed free trade agreement (FTA), currently under negotiation between the two regions. Goyal travelled to Brussels on May 23 from Washington, while India's chief negotiator L Satya Srinivas and his team are already at the EU headquarters for the FTA negotiations. The Indian minister held meetings with his EU counterpart earlier this month. "Delighted to welcome my friend and counterpart @PiyushGoyal. We continue to make progress. Let's maintain the momentum - with hard work, clear focus - and I look forward to our next meeting soon," Sefcovic said in a post on X. In response, Goyal, in a post on the social media platform, said, "We remain committed to the shared prosperity of India and the EU. Let us keep this pace going!". These deliberations assume significance as India and the 27-nation European Union are looking