Goyal In Washington To Push Trade Deal Forward

India-West News Desk

NEW DELHI – India and the United States are stepping up efforts to finalize a long-anticipated bilateral trade agreement, with Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal holding what he described as “productive talks” with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick during his ongoing visit to Washington.

Despite occasional public friction — including Trump’s recent claim that India has offered to eliminate all tariffs on American goods, which External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar clarified as an oversimplification — officials from both sides remain focused on striking an agreement, officials said.

Goyal, leading an Indian delegation, posted on social media that he had “good discussions” with Lutnick. A full, comprehensive deal is being targeted for completion by fall 2025.

Negotiations are being structured in phases. The immediate priority is a scaled-down deal focusing on industrial goods, select agricultural products, and easing non-tariff barriers like quality control standards. This first phase is seen as key to heading off a new round of reciprocal tariffs — currently paused for 90 days — that the U.S. had planned to impose.

The broader second phase is expected to take shape between September and November and could align with a potential visit by former President Donald Trump to India for the Quad summit. That stage would address 19 sectors identified by both governments and would require approval from the U.S. Congress to be finalized.