India and United States accelerate talks on interim trade agreement

U.S. Trade Representative office assistant Brendan Lynch arrived in New Delhi with his team, joining Indian officials led by Additional Secretary Darpan Jain for a three‑day negotiation at the Ministry of Commerce. The talks aim to finalize an interim trade framework that would improve market access, tariff structures, investment rules and supply‑chain cooperation, and also cover digital trade, technology collaboration and industrial partnership. India and the United States have agreed to lower U.S. tariffs on many Indian products from 50% to 18% and remove the 25% levy on Russian oil, while discussing a broader bilateral trade agreement. India plans to purchase $500 billion worth of U.S. energy, aircraft, precious metals, technology products and coking coal over the next five years. In fiscal year 2025‑26, Indian exports to the United States rose 0.92% to $87.3 billion and imports rose 15.95% to $52.9 billion, leaving a trade surplus of $34.4 billion. "Both countries' discussions align with the vision of former President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to strengthen trade and investment," said U.S. Embassy diplomat Sergio Gor on social media.