October 14, 2025

Get ready for some sizzling trade action! Indian trade negotiators are packing their bags and heading to the US this week, aiming to seal a big bilateral trade agreement (BTA). A top official told us, “Discussions between India and the US are moving in a positive direction. A team will visit Washington this week.” Both countries hope to wrap up the first phase of the pact by the year-end deadline—how thrilling! India might also step up its natural gas purchases from the US to help balance the trade gap, which currently favors India. While the US had planned to send trade reps to New Delhi in October, the ongoing US government shutdown (which started October 1 after political gridlock) changed plans. Because of this, the Indian team will travel to the US for lively, in-person talks. Whether this counts as an 'official round' remains a question while the shutdown continues. The talks are crucial! The US recently slapped hefty 50% tariffs on Indian goods since August 27, targeting imports tied to India’s Russian oil purchases. Both sides want to smash records by more than doubling their trade from $191 billion to $500 billion by 2030. So far, five rounds of talks have buzzed with activity. September saw a US team visiting New Delhi, and then an Indian team, led by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, traveled to Washington to keep the ball rolling. But wait, the drama doesn’t stop there. India is still wrestling with the European Union over tricky topics like steel, automobiles, and the carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM). After the recent 14th round of talks in Brussels, an official said, “Talks are progressing well. There are issues which need resolution such as steel and automobiles. No major issue is pending in agri.” Everyone is eyeing a wrap-up by the year-end here too! And the global saga continues! India and Canada are cooking up plans to cozy up in energy, technology, and food security. Minister Goyal met Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand to strengthen ties based on “mutual trust and respect.” With so many doors opening, India seems ready to take its trade game to dazzling new heights!

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Tags: India-us trade talks, Bilateral trade agreement, Natural gas trade, Us government shutdown, India-eu trade, India-canada cooperation,