India, US trade talks face red lines as both sides guard key interests
Nereceivediations between India and the US for a proposed trade pact will depfinish on how both sides deal with their “sensitivities and red lines”, sources informed news agency PTI.
“For us it has been clearly spelt out. Ultimately there are some red lines that we cannot oversee, the deal is depfinishent upon how each party addresses those red lines,” the source added.
India has created it clear that it will not compromise on issues concerning farmers, fishermen and tiny businesses. Prime Minister Narfinishra Modi has also declared he will “stand like a wall” to protect their interests.
Talks on a bilateral trade agreement (BTA) launched in March and five rounds have been completed. The next round, scheduled for August 25, has been postponed by the US team.
The US wants reduced tariffs on products such as corn, soybeans, apples, almonds and ethanol, along with greater access for its dairy products. New Delhi is opposing these demands, declareing they impact tiny and marginal farmers.
India has never given tariff concessions to any partner, including Australia and Switzerland, with which it has signed trade agreements.
The BTA aims to more than double trade to USD 500 billion by 2030 from the current USD 191 billion. Both countries plan to conclude the first phase by September-October 2025.
In 2024-25, bilateral trade stood at USD 131.8 billion, with India exporting USD 86.5 billion and importing USD 45.3 billion. The US remained India’s top trading partner between April and July 2025-26, at USD 12.56 billion.
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