India, US Restart Trade Talks Amid Tariffs and 'Red Lines'
India and the US have restarted trade negotiations, following a pause, with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expressing India's clear stance on finding common ground. The talks come amidst US tariffs on Indian goods and India's criticism of US actions as 'unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable'.
Jaishankar highlighted the competition for rare earths and critical minerals as a significant geopolitical factor. He acknowledged issues in India-US relations, such as failed trade discussions and tariffs, but noted that not all aspects of their engagement have been strained. He stressed the importance of good trade relations with the US, given it is the world's largest market.
The recent phone conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Trump led to renewed efforts to work on a proposed trade deal. However, the US doubled tariffs on Indian goods in August, including a 25% additional duty on India's purchase of Russian crude oil. Jaishankar has been negotiating this potential trade agreement with the US since Trump's presidency in 2025.
India and the US have resumed trade negotiations, with Jaishankar clear about India's 'red lines'. Despite past issues and current tariffs, both sides aim to find common ground in their trade discussions. The world's largest market, the US, remains a crucial partner for India's trade relations.
