India and the United States began a fresh round of trade negotiations in Washington, aiming at giving a final shape to the much-awaited trade deal between the two countries. A team of around a dozen Indian officials arrived in the US capital for the three-day talks scheduled from April 20 to 22. The delegation is led by India’s chief negotiator, Darpan Jain, an Additional Secretary in the Department of Commerce, along with representatives from the Customs Department and the External Affairs Ministry.

 

The discussions mark the next step in negotiations on the first phase of a bilateral trade agreement, building on earlier rounds aimed at finalising an interim arrangement between the two countries. Officials said the Washington meeting is expected to take forward discussions that have already been held on the interim trade agreement.

 

The talks come at a time when the US tariff regime has undergone significant changes, complicating earlier understandings. Following a US Supreme Court ruling against sweeping tariffs imposed under emergency powers, Washington introduced a temporary 10 per cent tariff on imports from all countries for 150 days beginning February 24.