India to push for early trade pact as Piyush Goyal heads to the US for key talks on September 22

India is set to step up its efforts to finalise a long-awaited trade agreement with the United States, as Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal prepares to lead a high-level delegation to Washington on September 22, 2025. The visit comes after a series of positive discussions held in New Delhi with a team of officials from the US Trade Representative's office earlier this month.

According to the Commerce Ministry, the USTR team visited India on September 16, 2025 for talks on various aspects of the proposed deal. Officials described the meetings as “positive", with both sides agreeing to step up efforts to reach a swift conclusion. The proposed agreement aims to expand market access, ease trade barriers, and create new opportunities for businesses on both sides.

"In continuation of these discussions, a delegation led by the Commerce and Industries Minister, Piyush Goyal, is visiting the United States for meetings with the U.S. side on 22nd September 2025. The delegation plans to take forward the discussions with a view to achieving early conclusion of a mutually beneficial Trade Agreement," according to the PIB press release.

The trade meeting is taking place amidst the chaos triggered by US President Donald Trump’s new proclamation and technology firms urging employees to return immediately.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified on social media platform X that the payment of $100000 would not be an annual fee, but must be paid as a one-time charge when applying for an H1-B visa.  

Furthermore, the administration also clarified that existing H-1B visas that are not currently in the US will not be affected, and there will be no charge of $100,000 for re-entry into the United States. Additionally, there will be no restrictions on the movement of such visa holders, and they will be free to leave and re-enter the country.

The payment of $100000 will only apply to individuals applying for a new H1-B visa in the upcoming visa cycle, and not to those who already hold a visa before 21 September 2025 or are seeking renewals.