A high-level delegation of senior Indian officials is set to visit the United States this week for pivotal trade discussions. Negotiations for a proposed Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) between the two economic powerhouses are reportedly advancing smoothly. This diplomatic move follows a directive issued in February 2025 by leaders of both nations, urging officials to finalize the agreement.
The initial phase of this significant trade pact was initially scheduled for completion by the fall of 2025. To date, five rounds of productive negotiations have already taken place, laying the groundwork for further progress.
A senior official confirmed the Indian team’s upcoming visit, underscoring the urgency and commitment to these discussions.
This upcoming visit builds on recent momentum. Last month, India’s Commerce and Industry Minister, Piyush Goyal, headed an official delegation to New York for similar trade talks. Following those meetings, both India and the U.S. expressed their commitment to swiftly concluding a mutually beneficial Bilateral Trade Agreement.
Constructive dialogues were held between both parties, covering a wide range of aspects related to the trade deal. During his previous visit, Minister Goyal engaged with key U.S. officials, including United States Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer and U.S. Ambassador-designate to India, Sergio Gor.
These negotiations carry significant weight, especially in light of recent trade tensions. The U.S. previously imposed a 25% reciprocal tariff, along with an additional 25% penalty, on certain Indian goods entering the American market. This action was reportedly in response to India’s continued purchase of Russian crude oil.
Currently, Indian goods face a substantial 50% additional import duty in the U.S. market. A primary objective of this new trade agreement is to dramatically increase bilateral trade volume, targeting a rise from the current $191 billion to an ambitious $500 billion by 2030.
Despite recent challenges, the U.S. has consistently been India’s largest trading partner, maintaining this position for the fourth year in a row in 2024-25. Bilateral trade reached an impressive $131.84 billion during this period, with Indian exports accounting for $86.5 billion. The U.S. currently represents approximately 18% of India’s total goods exports, 6.22% of its imports, and 10.73% of its overall merchandise trade.