As US Trade Envoy lands in India, analyst says ‘narrow’ package could deliver an early deal
US trade official Brendan Lynch is heading to India today for key talks on boosting trade ties between the two nations. This move signals a fresh start in negotiations, and experts in Washington say it’s a good sign for both sides to sort out their differences.
Siddharth Sharma, an expert on India and South Asia at Washington consultancy McLarty Associates, sees the talks heading in a positive direction. He believes an early India-US trade deal could happen if they focus on a simple package covering things like lower tariffs, better access to farm goods, and clearer standards. “The direction is positive, though timing will depend on details,” Sharma told .
Lynch will meet India’s top trade negotiator, Rajesh Agrawal, for a quick one-day session in New Delhi. This comes amid growing excitement about stronger economic links.
Last week, Sergio Gor, US President Donald Trump’s pick for Ambassador to India, called India a “strategic partner” during his Senate hearing. He promised to ramp up defense and economic cooperation. Gor even hinted that a trade deal is close, saying, “We’re actively negotiating with the Indians right now. We’re not that far apart on a deal. In fact, they’re negotiating the nitty-gritty of it.”
Sharma called Gor’s words encouraging, pointing out the US agenda: fair trade, more market access, clearer rules, a goal of $500 billion in bilateral trade by 2030, and teamwork on tech like AI, semiconductors, and critical minerals. “It’s a strong signal for ties with a key ally, as long as they cut nontariff barriers and clarify standards,” he added.
But there’s a hurdle—India’s buys of Russian oil. Gor stressed that getting India to drop Russian oil is a top priority for the Trump administration. Last week, Trump pushed NATO and G7 countries to stop purchasing Russian oil before he slaps on new sanctions. In a Truth Social post, he wrote, “I am ready to do major Sanctions on Russia when all NATO Nations have agreed, and started, to do the same thing, and when all NATO Nations STOP BUYING OIL FROM RUSSIA.”
Trump also admitted to Fox News that his 50% tariffs on India over Russian oil imports created a “rift.” “India was their biggest customer. I put a 50% tariff on India because they’re buying oil from Russia. That’s a big deal, and it causes a rift with India,” he said.
Wendy Cutler, a senior expert at the Asia Society Policy Institute, says India is playing it smart by staying low-key on public criticism of the Trump team. “India will need to decide for itself how and whether to address US concerns, while taking steps to reduce its dependence on the US market,” she explained.
Trump announced the restart of India-US trade negotiations last week on Truth Social: “I am pleased to announce that India, and the United States of America, are continuing negotiations to address the Trade Barriers between our two Nations.” He called Prime Minister Narendra Modi a “very good friend” and said he looks forward to chatting soon.
PM Modi responded positively on X, saying, “India and the US are close friends and natural partners. I am confident that our trade negotiations will pave the way for unlocking the limitless potential of the India-US partnership.”
With these talks underway, eyes are on how India and the US can bridge gaps on trade barriers, Russian oil imports, and big goals like hitting $500 billion in bilateral trade. It could mark a new chapter in their economic ties.
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