New Delhi, April 19 — The proposed bilateral trade agreement between India and the United States is set to move forward with both countries finalizing the draft Terms of Reference (ToR), which include nearly 19 chapters covering a wide range of trade-related topics. These chapters encompass key areas such as tariffs, goods, non-tariff barriers, and customs facilitation, according to official sources.
As per agency report, in a bid to fast-track the process, an Indian delegation is set to visit Washington next week to resolve outstanding issues before the formal negotiations begin. The move comes within the 90-day tariff moratorium announced by US President Donald Trump, offering a critical window for both nations to finalize an interim bilateral trade agreement (BTA).
The Indian team will be led by Additional Secretary in the Department of Commerce, Rajesh Agarwal, who was recently appointed as the next Commerce Secretary effective from October 1. The face-to-face negotiations with US counterparts are scheduled to begin on April 23 and will last for three days.
The discussions are expected to focus on the level of ambition and further refinement of the ToR, with topics including tariff schedules, regulatory measures, rules of origin, and mechanisms for addressing non-tariff barriers. Officials also intend to outline a roadmap and timeline to ensure the deal can be finalized within the agreed 90-day period.
These talks gain added significance as both sides are keen to make tangible progress following recent high-level engagements. A senior US delegation visited India in late March, led by Brendan Lynch, Assistant US Trade Representative for South and Central Asia, for key deliberations on trade cooperation.
The upcoming round of negotiations in Washington signals an acceleration of dialogue, as both India and the US aim to leverage the temporary pause on retaliatory duties to create a mutually beneficial trade pact. Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal had earlier confirmed that India is committed to liberalizing trade ties with the US and seeks to conclude talks at the earliest possible date.
