US chief negotiator to hold talks in India amid tariff dispute

The United States’ chief negotiator for South and Central Asia, Brendan Lynch, will hold a full day of discussions in New Delhi on Tuesday on the long-pending bilateral trade agreement, officials confirmed.

- OUR CORRESPONDENT

The meeting takes place against the backdrop of strained relations following Washington's decision to impose a 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods.

The visit follows a recent exchange of positive remarks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump on the state of bilateral trade ties. Modi had welcomed Trump’ assessment that the two nations’ commercial relations held significant potential, expressing hope that negotiations would unlock “limitless opportunities” for cooperation.

Five rounds of negotiations on the bilateral trade agreement (BTA) have already taken place. The sixth round, initially scheduled for August 25-29, was postponed after Washington levied steep tariffs on Indian exports. India has described the move as "unfair, unjustified and unreasonable," pointing out that the measures have significantly affected shipments to the US.