Overview

• Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and chief negotiator Rajesh Agrawal have arrived in Washington to resume talks, building on the 16 September New Delhi meeting where both sides agreed to intensify efforts.
• The Trump administration’s 50% duties imposed in August remain in force and coincided with Indian exports to the U.S. falling to $6.86 billion in August from $8.01 billion in July.
• Indian officials have flagged the possibility of a first tranche by November, with the chief economic adviser indicating the oil‑linked surcharge may not continue beyond November 30.
• Negotiations are expected to focus on tariff relief and targeted openings in industrial goods and select products, while India holds firm on agriculture and dairy and the U.S. presses concerns over non‑tariff barriers such as Quality Control Orders.
• Analysts and officials suggest an understanding on India’s Russian oil purchases will likely be needed for a deal, even after a recent social‑media thaw between President Trump and Prime Minister Modi and despite harsh U.S. commentary that drew an official Indian rebuttal.