‘Positive & forward looking’: India & US decide to intensify efforts for early trade deal; stress importance of bilateral trade

India-US trade deal talks: In a positive sign towards reaching a deal, India on Tuesday said that the trade talks with Assistant US Trade Representative Brendan Lynch were 'positive and forward looking'. "It was decided to intensify efforts to achieve early conclusion of a mutually beneficial Trade Agreement," the Ministry of Commerce said in a statement."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."Acknowledging 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," it added.This is the first in-person meeting between trade representatives of the two countries since the Donald Trump administration imposed 50% tariffs on India.India and the United States restarted bilateral trade negotiations on Tuesday, with Brendan Lynch leading the US delegation.Brendan Lynch had a positive meeting in Delhi with his counterpart Ministry of Commerce and Industry Special Secretary Rajesh Agrawal on Tuesday to discuss next steps in bilateral trade negotiations, according to a US embassy spokesperson quoted by ANI.The chief negotiators from both nations commenced discussions on the proposed trade agreement to address difficulties stemming from elevated tariff structures that have created uncertainty for exporters, a government official confirmed on Tuesday.The previously scheduled US trade delegation's visit to India during August 25-29 for the sixth round of BTA discussions was suspended following the US implementation of substantial 50% tariffs on India, which included a 25% penalty for Russian oil purchases.Since then, both countries have engaged in weekly virtual meetings. These discussions coincide with Trump's new conciliatory stance towards India-US relations, which PM Narendra Modi has reciprocated.