US Guns for Entry in Agri, Dairy, India Pushes Back

Washington's demand for access to sensitive sectors poses hurdle in trade talks

- Dhirendra Kumar

The final stretch of India-US trade talks is centered around sensitive sectors such as dairy, agriculture, digital and medical services, three people aware of the matter said, with Washington keen to open them up while New Delhi is pushing back with demand for a balanced agreement that safeguards vital sectors.

A US team led by Brendan Lynch, Assistant US Trade Representative for South and Central Asia, was in New Delhi for the face-to-face bilateral talks from 4 June to 10 June. While half of the team has returned, the rest in New Delhi have sought definitive commitments on market access in sensitive areas, the people cited above said on the condition of anonymity.

The talks will continue virtually to seal the deal.

India has traditionally resisted opening these areas due to concerns over unregulated competition and social sensitivities. Indian negotiators now navigate political and economic complexities related to sectors vital to rural livelihoods and food security, amid the hardened US stance.

"The negotiations are not progressing as expected. The talks were meant to be two-way, as agreed. However, the US team's insistence on opening certain critical sectors comes across as a take-it-or-leave-it offer," said the first among the three people cited above.