(source : ANI) ( Photo Credit : ani)
Positive Vibes in US-India Trade Talks: What’s Next for Bilateral Trade Agreement?
New Delhi is buzzing with optimism after a key one-day meeting between US and Indian trade officials. Former senior diplomat Mahesh Sachdev shared exciting details, calling the discussions "positive and forward-looking." This comes as both countries push for a fair Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) that benefits everyone involved.
Back in March 2025, India and the US kicked off talks for this BTA, with a goal to wrap up the first phase by October or November 2025. Today’s meeting in New Delhi brought together US Assistant Trade Representative Brendan Lynch and India’s Special Secretary in the Department of Commerce, Rajesh Agrawal. They wrapped up with smiles all around, focusing on building a strong future for US-India trade relations.
While the teams kept the nitty-gritty details under wraps, Sachdev pointed out some hot topics on the table. These include differences in dairy, agriculture, and fisheries sectors. India also pushed hard for equal treatment in information technology (IT) – a big deal for its booming tech industry. "The talks likely highlighted these sticking points," Sachdev told .
The Indian side is already planning a quick follow-up meeting to ramp up negotiations and speed things along. Why the hurry? Well, India’s exports to the US took a hit, dropping from $8.01 billion in July 2024 to $6.86 billion in July 2025. Blame it on those hefty 50% tariffs from the US side. Sachdev warns this trend could continue unless the US eases up on them.
Interestingly, the US had canceled the sixth round of talks last month, but sending a team to India now signals a softer approach. It’s a welcome shift, especially with US President Donald Trump highlighting India as a vital trade and strategic partner. Trump has repeatedly stressed how important India is in America’s global playbook.
Sachdev also touched on India’s smart moves on the world stage. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to China was a strategic step, showing off India’s independent foreign policy. It balances ties with China and Russia while building diverse partnerships – a clear nod to India’s multipolar world view and sovereign choices.
As these US-India trade talks gain momentum, eyes are on how they’ll tackle tariffs, boost exports, and seal a win-win BTA. Stay tuned for more updates on this key economic partnership!
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