A high-level Indian delegation, led by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, visited the United States from September 22 to 24, engaging in discussions aimed at strengthening bilateral trade and investment ties, the Commerce and Industry Ministry said on Friday.
During the visit, the Minister held key meetings with Ambassador Jamieson Greer, United States Trade Representative, and Sergio Gor, the U.S. Ambassador-designate to India. Talks focused on advancing negotiations for a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA), with both sides agreeing to continue engagements to reach an early, mutually beneficial conclusion.
Apart from government discussions, the delegation met with leading U.S.-based businesses and investors, who expressed strong confidence in India’s growth trajectory and indicated their intention to expand investment and trade activities in the country.
India and the U.S. have been negotiating a trade deal in recent months. While hopes were raised for an interim agreement, U.S. President Donald Trump had announced tariffs on Indian goods — 25 per cent initially, and another 25 per cent later, citing India’s imports of Russian oil, taking the total to 50 per cent, effective August 27.
India has maintained reservations over U.S. demands to open the agricultural and dairy sectors, which are critical to the livelihoods of millions in India.
–ANI