Trade Talks: Goyal Heads to the US for Bilateral Boost

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal leads a high-ranking Indian delegation to Washington for discussions on a bilateral trade agreement. The meetings aim to negotiate an interim trade arrangement for early wins, ahead of finalizing a comprehensive trade pact. Key discussions involve lowering tariffs and addressing non-tariff barriers.

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal is heading a delegation of senior Indian officials to Washington for talks on a proposed bilateral trade agreement. The discussions, commencing May 16, aim to progress negotiations with their American counterparts.

Meetings with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick are expected. The discussions are set against the possibility of an interim trade arrangement, promising early mutual wins, before finalizing the deal this fall.

Central to these talks is the opportunity presented by the 90-day tariff pause. The U.S. has suspended additional tariffs against India until July 9, providing a crucial negotiating window. Both countries are working towards reducing tariffs and non-tariff barriers in various sectors.

(With inputs from agencies.)