India-US trade talks; US mediation team to arrive in Delhi, India to demand rollback of additional tariffs

 

 

 

Delhi: India-US trade talks resume. The US mediation team will arrive in India tonight for talks. Trade talks will begin from tomorrow. Meanwhile, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has threatened that there will be consequences if India does not buy corn from the US.

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and his team had visited the US for talks on a trade deal with the US. India-US relations deteriorated after an agreement was reached on many issues. Narendra Modi had stated that there would be no compromise on agricultural and dairy products. This and the situation after Operation Sindoor angered the US. Trump, who first imposed a 25 percent tariff, later announced an additional 25 percent tariff, citing that India was buying Russian oil. India also agreed to the talks after Trump, who had described Narendra Modi as a close friend on social media last week, softened his stance. Modi had confirmed Trump's statement that he and Modi would hold talks.

A team led by Assistant US Trade Negotiator Bertrand Lynch is visiting India. The team is also likely to meet Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal. The proposal to withdraw additional duties will be put before the US. India will remain firm on its stance that buying oil from Russia should not be confused with this. Top sources said that there is a possibility of a first phase agreement by November. If there is progress in the talks, a decision will be taken on issues including Narendra Modi's visit to the US.