Ambassador of the United States of America to the Republic of India, Sergio Gor, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), said he held discussions with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on how to advance President Donald Trump's trade priorities in South and Central Asia.
Also Read | PM Modi targets TMC, says 'sins won’t be washed away in 100 years'
After months of intense negotiations and anticipation, the two countries signed a trade pact in early February this year. The agreement offered significant relief to Indian exporters, cutting reciprocal levies to 18% from a steep 50%, which had included a punitive 25% tariff linked to purchases of Russian crude oil. In his post Gor highlighted that the US and India have previously "agreed to a trade deal" and an Indian delegation will be visiting Washington later in April.
US-India trade deal
After months of talks between the two delegations, India and the US announced a bilateral trade agreement on February 2, 2026. The agreement with Washington drew criticism from the opposition, despite the fact that both Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised it as "historic." The reduction of tariffs on India from 50% to a final 18% was one of the deal's main outcomes.
A $500 billion investment from India for US energy products, airplanes and aviation parts, metals, coal, and technological items over the next five years is also part of the deal, according to the framework and Donald Trump's declaration. Based on the fact sheet issued by the White House, the basis of the agreement also focused on India stopping its purchase of Russian oil and petroleum.
However, with the war against Iran, India was "allowed" to buy certain Russian oil barrels, which, as per the US, would bring no financial gain to Moscow.
Also Read | PM Modi targets TMC, says 'sins won’t be washed away in 100 years'
FM to skip visit
Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman was expected to be part of the team; however, the BJP leader would be skipping the US visit.
Sitharaman will be attending the Parliament sessions for the presentation of bills to fast-track the implementation of 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.
