US trade team in Delhi for trade negotiations

An American negotiating team led by a senior official of the US Trade Representative's Office, Ambassador Rick Switzer, deputy USTR, is reaching New Delhi on Tuesday for a face-to-face deliberation on the proposed first-phase of India-US bilateral trade agreement (BTA), people aware of the development said.

- Rajeev Jayaswal

Switzer a high-ranking officer in the USTR leadership, who recently joined the office in midOctober will participate in a two-day formal negotiation with the Indian team on Wednesday and Thursday, they said requesting anonymity. He serves USTR for subjects such as Asia, textiles, investment, services, and intellectual property.

He will also be accompanied by assistant trade representative Brendan Lynch, who has been the US' chief negotiator for India-US BTA negotiations right from the first round of talks in March 2025, they said requesting anonymity.

Switzer is scheduled to meet his Indian counterpart commerce secretary Rajesh Agarwal, while Lynch, will hold negotiations with India's newly appointed chief negotiator Darpan Jain, who the joint secretary in the ministry commerce and also heading the negotiating team for the European Union.