India-US trade talks: High-level Indian team to visit Washington this week for next round of negotiations

India’s trade engagement with the United States is set to gain momentum this week as a high-level Indian trade team heads to Washington for the next round of negotiations on a proposed bilateral trade agreement.

Sources told CNBC-TV18 that both countries are hopeful that the first tranche of the deal will be finalised by the fall deadline.

So far, five rounds of talks have already taken place, with the last meeting held in mid-July.

Sources indicate that progress has been steady, and both sides are now pushing to wrap up the initial phase of the agreement by October–November 2025. Key areas of focus include market access, tariff rationalisation, and cooperation in supply chains. India is also exploring options to increase renewable energy imports from the United States.

This round of negotiations comes at a time when the new US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, has arrived in the country. Gor is known to be close to US President Donald Trump, and his posting is seen as a signal of continued political will to strengthen bilateral ties.

Over the weekend, Gor met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and other senior officials, highlighting the importance both countries are placing on trade, investment, and strategic cooperation.

The backdrop to these discussions is a period of heightened trade tension, with the Trump administration having imposed tariffs of up to 50% on Indian goods, making them among the highest globally.Read about our editorial guidelines and ethics policy