India, US Gear Up for Bilateral Trade Talks Ahead of Tariff Deadline: What’s at Stake:

The Business Standard claims that a United States delegation comprising of officials led by Assistant Trade Representative Brendan Lynch will be traveling to New Delhi next week with the intent of discussing a proposed Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA).

Both countries are working together to complete the initial step of a “win-win” trade deal by Fall 2025. These conversations take place just a few days before the US is expected to apply retaliatory tariffs on Indian products effective April 2nd.

In the progress of these negotiations, India has issued a non-paper outlining their views and suggestions to the United States. As per the report by Business Standard, Washington is anticipated to reply to the non-paper this week. The objective of this back-and-forth is to understand what each side has to offer and come up with compromises before formal discussions take place.

A source that wished to remain anonymous told the Business Standard, “The US is expected to reciprocate these non-papers. The purpose is to determine if a foundational framework for dialogue exists.”

Although India’s proposal is not yet leaked, as per reports, New Delhi may be willing to negotiate tariffs on textiles, leather, and other products. The US has been urging India to slash the duties on cars, alcohol— where the import tariffs exceed a startling 100%— as well as several agricultural products.

During this trip, Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal met with senior US officials Jamieson Greer, the US Trade representative, and Howard Lutnick, the Secretary of Commerce, during his visit to the US between March 4-6. Earlier in the week, Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal told a news conference that there had been movement in the conversations regarding trade.

On Monday, Mr. Barthwal provided comments and revealed how the Indian government juxtaposed the anticipated extra tariffs against the expected impact on Indian exports. As a result, Mr. Bernardino, a member of higher management in the Ministry of Trade, said that India has become more optimistic regarding the outcome of the trade negotiations.

In an interview with Breitbart News, Donald Trump, the president of the US, made notable remarks in regard to India, stating that he expects the country to ease tariffs on US goods. However, he did mention, in relation to US tariffs, that he is sure India does not want them imposed on them. Over his comment, he further added that while his relations with India are quite favorable, the barriers India places in terms of tariff are too steep.

“Trump stated, ‘But the only challenge I have with India is that they are one of the highest tariffing countries in the globe…”’ nations in the world.

Both parties are negotiating a primary agreement and these negotiations will be decisive in defining its contours while balancing trade openedness versus shielding local industries.