India’s top trade officials have described “very good progress” in ongoing negotiations with the United States, signaling a new era of liberalized trade that will address both tariff and non-tariff barriers. As both nations sign the terms of reference for a potential trade deal, Indian authorities anticipate expanded opportunities for domestic businesses and a boost to two-way commerce.
Key Highlights:
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Trade Liberalisation Path:
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India has officially agreed to seek trade liberalisation with the US, aimed at reducing tariffs, streamlining regulatory hurdles, and greater access to markets in priority sectors.
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Bilateral Trade Momentum:
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Indian trade officials note that the agreement is likely to yield more positives than negatives for India, opening up potential expansion of exports of pharmaceuticals, textiles, and IT, besides bolstering investment flows.
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Global Trade Context:
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With increasing US prices and retaliatory tariffs from the US against China, Vietnamese, Indonesian, and Chinese products might look towards the Indian market even more. India is keeping a close eye on all this to defend against merchandise dumping and safeguard domestic industries.
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Monitoring and Risk Management:
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An inter-ministerial committee is closely monitoring imports on a fortnightly and monthly basis to spot any abnormal upticks or risks of dumping on a timely basis and keep home industries competitive.
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Wider Trade Negotiations:
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India is also working out outstanding issues with the UK and has a follow-up round of trade negotiations lined up with the EU in May, reflecting its wider aspiration for achieving balanced trade agreements worldwide.
Leadership Insights:
India's Trade Secretary stated,
"We are hopeful of striking a robust, well-balanced trade deal with the US that gives new opportunities to our industries and strengthens our foothold in the global supply chain."
Outlook:
While tensions in international trade realign supply chains and market forces, India's assertive trade diplomacy is making it an attractive partner both for developed as well as emerging economies.
Source: Indian Ministry of Commerce & Industry, official trade briefings, April 15, 2025.