India-US hold first in-person trade talks after Trump’s 50% tariffs

The Ministry of Commerce on Tuesday said its officials held “positive and forward-looking” trade talks with a US delegation led by Chief Negotiator Brendan Lynch in New Delhi.

Both countries decided to intensify efforts to achieve early conclusion of a mutually beneficial Trade Agreement, the Ministry of Commerce said in a statement.

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“A team of officials from the office of United States Trade Representative led by Chief Negotiator, India US Bilateral Trade Agreement negotiations Mr.Brendan Lynch visited India on September 16, 2025. They held discussions with officials from Department of Commerce, led by Special Secretary, Department of Commerce on India-US trade ties including on the India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement,” the statement said.

It further stated that both sides acknowledged the enduring importance of bilateral trade between India and the US

“The discussions were positive and forward looking covering various aspects of the trade deal,” the statement added.

This was the first time the two countries held in-person trade negotiations since US President Donald Trump’s imposition of 50 per cent tariffs on India.

After Trump’s imposition of tariffs, the trade talks faced headwinds with Trump and his administration targeting India over its Russian oil imports.

However, experts cautioned that it was part of the US President’s presurre tactics to force India to sign an unjust trade deal.

This also led to a strain in the bilateral ties until Trump reached out to PM Modi and praised his leadership in a social media post.

Modi also reciprocated positively paving the way for resumption of the trade negotiations.