India-US trade deal: ‘Talks are happening at different levels’, says official; Piyush Goyal-led team expected to return this week

India-US trade deal: At a time when Commerce minister Piyush Goyal is in America, an official has said that the trade deal talks between India and US are happening at various levels.“Talks are happening at different levels,” an official told PTI.

The official indicated that the ministerial delegation is scheduled to return later this week. Multiple discussions between India and the US are ongoing, addressing both trade and non-trade matters, according to the official.Currently in the US for trade discussions, Piyush Goyal is joined by high-ranking ministry officials, including special secretary and chief negotiator Rajesh Agrawal. During his visit, Goyal has engaged in consultations with his American counterpart.This visit follows recent discussions in New Delhi between US Chief Negotiator Brendan Lynch and Agrawal regarding the proposed bilateral trade agreement.On September 16, the commerce ministry announced that the single-day discussions with the visiting US delegation about a bilateral trade deal were constructive, with both countries agreeing to work towards a swift and advantageous conclusion of the agreement.

Senior US trade officials visited India for the first time following the implementation of a combined 50% tariffs on Indian goods in the American market, partly due to India's procurement of Russian crude oil.Officials from both nations began negotiations for a proposed Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) in February this year, following directives from their respective leaders.The initial phase of the agreement was scheduled for completion in autumn (October-November) of 2025, with five rounds of discussions already completed.

The agreement aims to increase bilateral trade from $191 billion to $500 billion by 2030.Earlier in May, Goyal travelled to Washington for trade discussions and held meetings with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.In 2024-25, the US maintained its position as India's primary trading partner for the fourth successive year, with bilateral trade reaching $131.84 billion (USD 86.5 billion exports).The US represents approximately 18 per cent of India's total goods exports, 6.22 per cent of imports, and 10.73 per cent of the country's overall merchandise trade.