The mango that broke a market
It is peak mango season in India. The Alphonso harvest is at its richest, the Kesar at its most fragrant.
Senior officials from the Commerce Ministry said that India and the US will resume bilateral trade talks in New Delhi on Tuesday.
After weeks of criticism and harsh comments from Washington over India’s purchase of Russian oil, the talks are set to be revived.
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The meeting is seen as a beacon of hope and a potential game-changer for trade relations, which had been marred by punitive tariffs imposed by the US on India, leading to the souring of ties between the two countries.
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Tuesday’s meeting will mark the first formal, face-to-face bilateral engagement between the two negotiating teams since the fifth round held in Washington from July 14 to 18. Officials described it as a “continuation of talks,” noting that both sides had remained “continuously and constructively” engaged through virtual discussions despite the gap in in-person meetings.
“Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for South and Central Asia Brendan Lynch is arriving in India tonight and will continue talks on a Bilateral Trade Agreement with the Indian counterpart,” a government official said on Monday.
Tuesday’s meeting could pave the way for the sixth round of trade talks, originally slated for August 25 in New Delhi but postponed after former US President Trump imposed a 25% punitive tariff on India on August 7, along with a 25% reciprocal duty — among the steepest levies faced by any US trading partner. An additional tariff linked to India’s purchase of Russian crude came into effect on August 27. India had denounced the measures as unreasonable and unjustified.
Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal confirmed that the US delegation will meet the Indian negotiating team on Tuesday, noting that both sides are approaching the talks with a “positive frame of mind” on trade-related issues.
Over the past few months, India and the US have been negotiating for an interim trade deal. Still, there were reservations from the Indian side on the US demand for opening up the agricultural and dairy sectors. Agriculture and dairy are critical for India as these two sectors provide livelihood opportunities to a large section of people.
India and the US initiated talks for a just, balanced, and mutually beneficial Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) in March this year, aiming to complete the first stage of the Agreement by October-November 2025.
President Trump has imposed reciprocal tariffs on dozens of countries with which the US has a trade deficit. Since assuming office for his second term, President Trump has reiterated his stance on tariff reciprocity, emphasising that his administration will match tariffs imposed by other countries, including India, to “ensure fair trade”.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi responded warmly to President Trump’s affirmation of the India-US ties, saying he “deeply appreciates and fully reciprocates” the US President’s sentiments and positive assessment of the bilateral relations.
PM Modi noted India-US ties as “forward-looking” towards a “Comprehensive and Global Strategic Partnership,” in a post on X.
“Deeply appreciate and fully reciprocate President Trump’s sentiments and positive assessment of our ties. India and the US have a very positive and forward-looking Comprehensive and Global Strategic Partnership,” the Prime Minister stated in his post.
President Trump, while announcing the White House, recalled that the India-US ties are a “very special relationship” and affirmed that he and PM Modi would always be friends, asserting that there is “nothing to worry about”.
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