Overview

• India and the US have finalized a comprehensive 19-chapter terms of reference for a proposed bilateral trade agreement addressing tariffs, goods, services, and customs facilitation.
• Formal negotiations will begin on April 23 in Washington, during a three-day meeting led by India’s chief negotiator Rajesh Agrawal.
• The talks come during a 90-day pause on reciprocal US tariffs, announced by President Trump on April 9, providing a critical window for advancing discussions.
• The US seeks duty reductions in sectors like industrial goods, electric vehicles, and agriculture, while India aims to secure concessions for labor-intensive industries such as textiles, gems, and shrimp.
• Both nations aim to conclude the first phase of the deal by fall 2025 and expand bilateral trade from $191 billion to $500 billion by 2030.