India and the United States are expected to start a new series of talks this week for a bilateral trade agreement (BTA), virtual discussions begin immediately and in person scheduled for the second half of May 2025. The Ministry of Commerce has confirmed development, indicating a significant advance in bilateral economic ties.
According to a senior official of the Ministry of Commerce, “virtual discussions to start this week between India and the United States for a BTA”, with “discussions in physical mode to start in the second half May 2025.”
This decision follows a series of meetings between the officials of the Ministry of Commerce of India and the representatives of the American commercial representative (USTR), which was held in Delhi from March 26 to 29. The meetings helped both parties “to understand the next steps towards BTA,” said the manager.
The ministry stressed that the current process is supported by a high -level political consensus. “There is a clear route that has been decided at the level of managers,” noted the official.
Stressing the strategic importance of talks, the ministry said: “We have followed a way of liberalization and commercial agreement”, adding that there is hope that the result will bring “more opportunities than concerns”.
The official recognized both the challenges and potential gains: “There are both concerns and opportunities for India with regard to prices”, but expressed his optimism as to progress, saying “good progress on us, hoping for more opportunities than concerns”.
Trade between the two countries has remained solid, the United States continuing as the main export destination for India. India exported goods worth $ 86.51 billion to the United States in 2024, and the ministry expects this momentum to increase more. “There will be a higher business with us,” added the manager.
