No breakthrough, negotiators return from US as tariffs suspense lingers

India’s negotiating team returned from Washington on Saturday after concluding a fifth round of trade talks without any significant breakthrough beyond the agreed format of negotiations, as the August 1 deadline for potential tariffs looms and President Donald Trump intensifies pressure on trading partners worldwide, including India.

- Rajeev Jayaswal

The four-day discussions, led by chief negotiator Rajesh Agrawal, failed to resolve persistent disputes over agriculture, automobiles and— in what has emerged as a potentially new domain —digital trade, policies that have stalled negotiations since March, leaving India's fate uncertain as Trump's self-imposed deadline for higher new duties on exporting to America approaches.

According to people aware of the matter, India remains committed to reaching a deal before August 1 if possible, the country will not compromise its core positions under deadline pressure, maintaining that any agreement must be “balanced, long-term, strategic and mutually beneficial.”