Overview

• The Indian foreign ministry said the Sept. 16 meetings in New Delhi with a U.S. team led by USTR official Brendan Lynch were positive and forward-looking, with both sides agreeing to intensify work toward an early deal.
• Bloomberg, citing sources, reported that U.S. negotiators pressed to include India’s purchases of Russian oil in the tariff discussions, while India sought removal of the additional 25% duty on Russian energy imports.
• Access for genetically modified crops remains the central sticking point, with India rejecting such imports over concerns for farmers and food security.
• The United States raised duties on Indian imports in August—adding 25% on Aug. 6 and lifting overall rates to as high as 50% by month’s end—which India called unfair while reiterating readiness for dialogue.
• Talks launched in February after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s U.S. visit aim to double bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030, with a first-phase accord this fall dependent on progress on tariffs and market access.