Overview

• U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said India must “react correctly” by opening its markets and stopping policies he says harm American interests.
• He underscored that access to U.S. consumers requires “playing ball” with President Trump and listed India among countries Washington intends to “fix.”
• Many Indian goods face a combined 50% U.S. tariff, including an extra 25% penalty tied to New Delhi’s purchases of Russian crude.
• Lutnick pressed for greater access for U.S. farm products and questioned India’s resistance to buying items like American corn.
• India’s commerce ministry called Sept. 22–24 talks in Washington constructive, while former foreign secretary Kanwal Sibal publicly rejected Lutnick’s claims.