An Indian delegation will travel to Washington later this month to take forward negotiations on the proposed bilateral trade deal with the United States, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said on Thursday.
In a post on X, Sergio Gor said he held a “highly productive” meeting with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to discuss advancing trade priorities under President Donald Trump in South and Central Asia.
“The United States and India have previously agreed to a trade deal, and we look forward to welcoming an Indian delegation to Washington later this month,” he said.
The visit is expected to push forward discussions on implementing the bilateral agreement announced on February 2, 2026, after months of negotiations. Both Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had described the deal as “historic”.
However, the agreement has also drawn criticism from opposition parties in India over its terms and long-term implications.
As per the framework outlined earlier, the deal includes a significant reduction in tariffs imposed by the US on Indian goods, from 50 per cent to 18 per cent, aimed at boosting bilateral trade flows.
Also read: India got best trade deal with US among competing nations: Goyal
The agreement also envisages India committing around $500 billion over five years towards imports of US energy products, aircraft and parts, metals, coal and advanced technology.
Another key aspect of the understanding involves India scaling back its purchases of Russian oil, aligning with US strategic priorities. However, amid the ongoing West Asia tensions, the US has allowed limited flexibility for India to continue certain purchases without benefiting Moscow financially.
Sources indicated that Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman was initially expected to be part of the visiting delegation but will skip the trip to attend Parliament, where key legislative business, including amendments related to women’s reservation, is scheduled.
The upcoming visit assumes significance as both countries seek to strengthen economic ties amid global uncertainties, particularly disruptions linked to geopolitical tensions in West Asia.
Officials on both sides are expected to focus on finalising operational details and timelines for implementing the agreement, with an emphasis on trade facilitation, market access and strategic cooperation.
The development underscores a broader effort by New Delhi and Washington to deepen economic engagement alongside their expanding strategic partnership.
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