Overview

• India’s Commerce Ministry said Saturday that Piyush Goyal will lead a delegation to the United States on September 22 for high‑level negotiations on a bilateral trade agreement.
• Special Secretary Rajesh Agrawal will join the delegation, with meetings planned in New York as both sides aim for an early, mutually beneficial outcome.
• The visit follows a seven‑hour meeting on September 16 in New Delhi between U.S. Assistant USTR Brendan Lynch and Agrawal that both governments described as constructive, with a decision to intensify efforts.
• Five negotiation rounds have been completed toward a phased pact targeting $500 billion in two‑way trade by 2030, with an initial tranche still eyed for fall 2025.
• A combined 50% U.S. tariff on certain Indian goods—25% reciprocal plus a 25% penalty linked to Russian oil purchases—remains in effect and is a key driver for expedited talks.