Overview

• A senior Indian delegation will travel to Washington this week for the next round on a Bilateral Trade Agreement, with both sides aiming to sign a first tranche by November.
• The U.S. has levied a 25% reciprocal tariff plus a 25% penalty on some Indian goods tied to Russian crude purchases, which negotiators identify as a key hurdle.
• Indian officials signal readiness to increase imports of U.S. LNG and gas and to procure more renewable energy technologies as part of the trade package.
• In a parallel track, India and the EU concluded the 14th round of FTA talks in Brussels on October 6–12, leaving tariff cuts and chapters on rules of origin, SPS, TBT, services, dispute settlement, investments and CBAM unresolved.
• Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is expected to visit Brussels later this month, with a 15th negotiating round planned for mid-November in New Delhi as both sides pursue a year-end FTA target.