Overview
- External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said on Tuesday that negotiations with the United States are moving in the right direction and are approaching a landing point.
- The two sides have made substantial technical progress but have not signed an agreement because key details remain unresolved.
- The main sticking points are changing U.S. tariff rules including Section 301 practices, specific market‑access commitments, and how India’s terms will compare with deals the U.S. makes with other countries.
- Trade teams from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and India’s Commerce and Industry Ministry are working to iron out the remaining items while ministers keep the talks under close review.
- India is pressing for safeguards for small manufacturers and agricultural producers to avoid sudden competition, and a settled interim deal would give businesses on both sides clearer rules and reduce commercial uncertainty.