India and the United States have completed the fifth round of negotiations for a proposed Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) in Washington, D.C., from July 14 to 17, 2025. The discussions aimed to finalize an interim trade deal before August 1, the deadline for the suspension of U.S. tariffs imposed on several countries, including India.
India's chief negotiator, Rajesh Agrawal, led the delegation, focusing on key areas such as agriculture, automobiles, steel and aluminum tariffs, and Special Chemicals, Organisms, Materials, Equipment, and Technologies (SCOMET). India seeks the removal of tariffs on steel, aluminum, and automobiles, while the U.S. is advocating for concessions on industrial and agricultural goods.
Both nations are working towards concluding the first phase of the BTA by fall 2025, with the goal of substantially increasing bilateral trade by 2030. The business community is closely monitoring these negotiations, as they hold the potential to unlock significant economic opportunities for both India and the United States.