Government sources have told CNBC-TV18 that the US trade delegation led by Deputy US Trade Representative Rick Switzer is expected to visit India from December 10th to December 12th for trade talks.
While the talks aren’t going to constitute an official round of negotiations, government sources indicated that the US team is expected to discuss tariffs even as both sides look forward to making strong progress towards addressing the issue. India is expected to be represented by Joint Secretary Darpan Jain in the talks. Sources added that both sides remain hopeful of signing a framework deal by the end of 2025 to address tariffs.
The visit will come less than a week after a visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin, along with a ministerial and business delegation.
On 18th November, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal had said that there’s no hiatus in the India-US relationship, which continues to be important and strategic for both countries. With both sides recently having signed a 10-year defence pact, the Minister had said that the comprehensive India-US partnership has many elements, and every element may not run at the same speed.
The Minister had emphasised that the India-US partnership remains strong, stable, and continuously expanding across strategic and economic sectors, adding that there is no cause for concern regarding the bilateral relationship, and reiterated that the friendship between the two nations stands on firm pillars of democracy, diversity, and a shared developmental vision.
Stating that the United States views India as a trusted partner and both countries remain committed to expanding trade and commerce, the Minister had noted that negotiations are a continuous process and India will safeguard its interests while balancing the sensitivities of farmers, fishermen, small industries and businesses.
While the Minister quipped “Parivar mein bhi kabhi kabhi thodi nok jhonk toh hoti rehti hai” (Squabbles are common even within a family), he had told the gathering that “You’ll hear the good news when the deal becomes equitable and balanced.” Indicating that India wants to benchmark itself with developed and advanced economies, he said that India had performed admirably during the pandemic as well as during the 1999 US sanctions.
On 18th October, government sources had indicated that both negotiating teams were engaging positively, with progress having been made in all discussions and “no major differences” between both sides. India’s Chief Negotiator Rajesh Agrawal had gone to the US in October, where discussions took place on bilateral commitments.
Despite 50% tariffs imposed on imports by the United States, India’s exports to the US rose to $45.82 billion in the first half of the current FY, 13.3% more than $40.42 billion in the same period last year. The Commerce Ministry had further said that India would like to diversify its energy import portfolio, subject to availability at the right price, stating that India can import more crude oil and natural gas worth $12–$13 billion from the US without altering the configuration of refineries.
