Synopsis: India and the U.S. have agreed to intensify efforts to finalize their bilateral trade deal after holding seven hours of “positive and forward-looking” discussions in New Delhi on September 16, 2025. The Commerce Ministry, however, has not revealed the date for the next formal round of negotiations.
In a significant development, India and the United States have decided to accelerate their efforts to conclude a long-pending bilateral trade agreement. The decision came after a high-level meeting between the negotiating teams of both countries held in New Delhi on Tuesday (September 16, 2025).
The Indian delegation was led by Rajesh Agrawal, the Chief Negotiator for the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, while the U.S. team was headed by Brendan Lynch, the Chief Negotiator for the Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) talks from the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR).
According to the Commerce Ministry’s statement, the discussions were described as “positive and forward looking” and reaffirmed the “enduring importance of bilateral trade between India and the U.S.” The two sides agreed to intensify efforts for the early conclusion of a mutually beneficial trade agreement.
The meeting, which lasted nearly seven hours, was not an official negotiation round but rather a strategic discussion on the way forward. The official sixth round of negotiations, which was scheduled for late August, had been postponed following trade tensions triggered by the U.S. decision to impose 50% tariffs on Indian goods.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi confirmed that the talks were constructive and that both sides discussed the “next steps in bilateral trade negotiations.”
While the Ministry of Commerce refrained from announcing the date of the next formal round, sources indicated that discussions are expected to continue virtually once the U.S. delegation returns home.
With both countries emphasizing the need for closer economic cooperation, observers believe this renewed momentum could pave the way for resolving contentious issues and moving towards a landmark trade agreement.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only. Official details regarding the India-U.S. trade negotiations should be verified through official government releases or statements from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Office of the USTR.
