Overview

• The Ministry of External Affairs said on July 24 that India and U.S. trade teams are negotiating the first tranche of a multi-sector bilateral trade agreement.
• The talks coincide with an extended suspension of a 10 percent reciprocal tariff on Indian exports through August 1.
• Negotiators aim to broaden market access and streamline regulations to integrate their supply chains.
• Both governments have pledged to sustain momentum and reach an early conclusion of the initial phase.
• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar highlighted the BTA process at the Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Washington on July 1.