Overview

• Piyush Goyal said India remains in dialogue with the United States on a bilateral trade agreement, with five rounds concluded since March.
• Washington has doubled duties on select Indian goods to a total levy of 50% from August 27, described in coverage as linked to India’s Russian oil purchases.
• The U.S. delegation deferred a planned August 25 visit to New Delhi for the sixth negotiating round, and no new dates have been set.
• Negotiators had been working on a phased pact that included an interim stage to expand market access and regulatory cooperation.
• President Donald Trump claimed India offered to cut its tariffs to zero after the U.S. move, a statement reported without details from New Delhi.