Four-day India-US Trade Talks End

No clarity on the issue of reciprocal tariff as commerce ministry officials remained tight-lipped

- DIPAK MONDAL@ New Delhi

The four-day India-US trade talks in New Delhi concluded on Saturday with the two sides deciding the pathway for further talks. However, no clarity emerged on the issue of reciprocal tariff as commerce ministry officials remained tight-lipped. A statement by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said sectoral expert-level engagements under the bilateral trade agreement (BTA) will start in the coming weeks.

A commerce ministry official told TNIE the two sides had a good discussion on the way forward for talks. "A lot of issues got clarified between the two sides. Pathway for further talks has been decided," said the official. He, however, refused to answer questions on the issue of reciprocal tariff, saying that he was not part of those discussions.

As per a statement by commerce ministry, in order to realize the shared objective of promoting growth that ensures fairness, national security and job creation, both sides have through four days of discussions in New Delhi broadly come to an understanding on the next steps towards a mutually beneficial, multi-sector BTA, with the goal to finalize its first tranche by fall 2025.