India and the United States are starting a historic journey to strengthen their economic alliance, with a goal to double bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030. After four days of grueling talks in New Delhi, both countries decided to start sector-specific talks under a mooted Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA). These high-level talks will be held virtually over the next few weeks, laying the foundation for face-to-face negotiations later this year.
The talks are aimed at widening market access, lowering tariff and non-tariff barriers, and streamlining supply chains in priority sectors. The step follows Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal's recent trip to Washington, where he met American counterparts to deepen trade relations. The negotiations also come at a time when US President Donald Trump insisted on reciprocal tariffs, putting the agreement in a hurry.
With the bilateral trade already over $190 billion, India and the US are looking to open up new avenues for commerce while resolving tariff and market access issues. Indian exporters are considering diversified trade baskets as both countries strive to seal the first phase of the BTA by autumn 2025. This ambitious partnership heralds a new dawn of prosperity and resilience for two of the globe's biggest economies.
Sources: The Hans India, Millennium Post, UNI India