India–US trade deal talks in Washington from April 20 as tariff shift forces recalibration of bilateral trade agreement framework

About a dozen Indian officials will travel to Washington on April 20 for three-day negotiations with US counterparts on the first phase of the bilateral trade agreement (BTA), as both sides reassess the framework in light of recent changes in the US tariff regime, an official said.

The talks, scheduled till April 22, will be led by India’s chief negotiator Darpan Jain, additional secretary in the commerce department, and will include representatives from customs and the external affairs ministry.

The discussions had originally been planned earlier but were postponed after shifts in US trade policy following legal developments around tariffs imposed under the previous administration. The current round is expected to revisit the draft framework released in February and examine its relevance under the revised tariff environment.

Tariff shift prompts recalibration

Officials indicated that the agreement may require significant recalibration, as a uniform 10 per cent tariff imposed by the US on imports from multiple countries has altered earlier assumptions that formed the basis of India’s proposed concessions. Earlier, India had offered tariff reductions on a range of US industrial goods and agricultural products, while also signalling large-scale energy and capital goods purchases over a five-year horizon.

However, with global competitors now facing similar tariff levels in the US market, negotiators believe the balance of advantages embedded in the earlier draft will need to be reassessed and potentially redrafted before finalisation.

Trade flows and pending issues

The talks are also likely to touch upon two investigations initiated by the United States Trade Representative  (USTR) under Section 301 of its trade law. India has contested these probes, calling for their withdrawal on grounds that the allegations lack adequate justification.

Meanwhile, trade data shows shifting dynamics between the two economies. China has emerged as India’s largest trading partner in 2025-26, overtaking the United States. India’s exports to the US in the last fiscal rose marginally, while imports grew at a faster pace, narrowing the overall trade surplus.

Officials expect the outcome of the Washington meeting to shape the next stage of negotiations on the BTA, particularly as both sides attempt to balance market access concerns with evolving tariff structures. The revised framework, once agreed, will likely determine the pace of India-US trade engagement in the coming months.  (With inputs from PTI)