India and the European Union are set to announce on January 27 the conclusion of negotiations and finalisation of a free trade agreement, which is aimed at boosting economic ties between the two regions amid disruptions in global trade due to US tariffs, an official said.
United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday said that the US is 'doing a trade deal with India' as the two sides continue to hold talks on the proposed trade pact.
After three consecutive months of heavy selling, foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) turned net buyers in the first week of February, infusing more than Rs 8,100 crore in Indian equities, aided by improving risk sentiment, along with a trade deal with the US.
The first phase of the proposed India-US bilateral trade agreement (BTA) is 'nearing closure' and would address the hefty 50 per cent tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on Indian goods, in addition to resolving America's market access issues, a government official said on Monday.
'Even if tariffs are reduced, non-tariff may still remain a challenge.'
Indian farmers staged a significant protest at the Shambhu border against a proposed India-US trade deal, fearing its detrimental effects on the domestic agricultural sector and demanding its immediate abandonment. They later ended their agitation after assurances from the Haryana Agriculture Minister regarding the release of detained farmers and a meeting with the Union Agriculture Minister.
The comments came a day after US President Donald Trump said that Washington is "very close" to the trade pact with India.
Of Trump's reciprocal tariffs and trade deals
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticizes Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Indo-US trade deal, following Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal's statement on not entering agreements under deadlines. Gandhi predicts Modi will yield to Trump's tariff deadline.
US Vice President JD Vance and Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a phone call to discuss expanding the India-US comprehensive global strategic partnership, focusing on trade, defence, energy security, emerging technologies, and critical minerals. The discussion comes amidst rising tensions in West Asia and recent regional realignments, with both leaders reaffirming their commitment to strengthening cooperation.
The commerce ministry on Tuesday said the discussions with visiting US Chief Negotiator Brendan Lynch on the proposed bilateral trade agreement were positive and forward looking.
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal announced that the legal scrubbing of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) text is expected to be completed within 10-12 days, with the final deal anticipated to be signed by December 31.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged US President Donald Trump to prioritise the safety of Indian seafarers in the Strait of Hormuz during the implementation of Washington's proposed Iran peace deal, as both leaders focused on repairing strained bilateral relations at the G7 summit.
India on Thursday signed a free trade agreement, officially dubbed as the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), with the UK - its 16th trade pact so far - as the country aims to boost bilateral trade and investments.
India has completely protected the interests of its agriculture and dairy sector in the India-US trade agreement.
India anticipates a reduction in the United States' proposed tariffs on Indian goods under the Section 301 investigation, following New Delhi's recent notification to restrict the import of products made with forced labour.
India's computer services exports have risen 30 per cent since the advent of ChatGPT in November 2022, even as overall services exports have plateaued, World Bank's South Asia Chief Economist Franziska Ohnsorge said, terming Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the conclusion of more trade agreements that can trigger a "manufacturing renaissance", as the two big investment opportunities for India in coming years.
'Tariff action relating to the excess-capacity investigation will be even more susceptible to judicial overturn.'
Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty rebounded in early trade, recovering from previous losses, driven by softening crude oil prices and renewed buying interest in blue-chip stocks. Analysts note that the fall in Brent crude below USD 77 has removed significant macro headwinds for India, contributing to market stability.
The White House Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy has accused over 40 countries, including India, of facilitating Chinese exporters in evading US tariffs through practices like relabelling goods or falsely claiming non-Chinese origin, a phenomenon dubbed the "Great Transhipment Scam."
Responding to a question on the trade deal being negotiated between the two countries, Trump said India had taken advantage of US policies for years and charged tremendous tariffs.
Donald Trump announced he is replacing the 20% reimbursement fee for securing the Strait of Hormuz with massive trade and investment deals from Gulf States into the United States, while maintaining a full blockade on Iranian ship traffic.
'They talked bad about our leaders. They said India was a dead economy. They were not sensitive to the Indian psyche.'
US and India will promptly implement this framework and work towards finalising the interim agreement with a view to concluding a mutually beneficial bilateral trade agreement.
US President Donald Trump lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "very tough negotiator" and hinted at a future visit to India during their meeting on the sidelines of the G7 Summit, where they discussed trade, defence, and the West Asia crisis.
India and the UK on Thursday inked a landmark free trade agreement (FTA) that will cut tariffs on British whisky, cars and an array of items, besides boosting bilateral trade by around $34 billion annually.
Indian benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty, rebounded in early trade after two days of decline, driven by positive global market trends and strong buying in auto stocks. This recovery follows a robust performance in US markets and a rally in Asian markets, particularly Japan's Nikkei, fueled by AI-driven technology optimism. Track Sensex, Nifty on July 1.
Both countries commit to provide each other preferential market access in sectors of respective interest on a sustained basis
'The contours of the trade deal need to be reworked now.'
Hardik Pandya is reportedly on his way out of Mumbai Indians, with Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals showing interest in a potential trade. Discussions are ongoing, particularly with KKR, where Pandya could secure a captaincy role, unlike with RR.
India and the UK on Tuesday sealed an ambitious free trade deal along with a double contribution convention with Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying that the landmark pacts will catalyse trade, investment, growth and job creation in both the economies. Modi made the announcement on the agreements after a phone conversation with his British counterpart Keir Starmer.
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday thanked United States President Donald Trump for the 'historic' trade agreement reached between Islamabad and Washington, and expressed hope that it would expand cooperation between the two nations.
Indian benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty, experienced declines in early trade due to a significant spike in crude oil prices, driven by escalating geopolitical uncertainties, despite positive cues from Asian and US markets.
Indian benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty, opened higher on Friday, primarily driven by a significant surge in Bajaj Finance shares following its strong Q1 FY27 earnings report, coupled with continued foreign fund inflows and a dip in crude oil prices. Track Sensex, Nifty on July 31.
India's decision to reserve its rights to impose retaliatory duties on the US over imposition of tariffs on auto parts is a procedural move under the WTO agreement on safeguards and it will not affect ongoing negotiations on the proposed trade pact between the two countries, an official said. India on Friday proposed imposing retaliatory duties under the WTO (World Trade Organisation) norms against the US over American tariffs on imports of the country's auto parts in the name of safeguard measures.
Hardik Pandya's potential return to Gujarat Titans was reportedly rejected after he made his move conditional on being reinstated as captain, a demand the franchise, including current captain Shubman Gill, declined.
'A player like Hardik Pandya is needed in every franchise. He is a proper three dimensional player.'
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says relations between India and the US have not lost momentum and are set to strengthen, with hopes for a trade deal soon.
A recently finalised peace deal between the US and Iran, set to be signed on June 19, is expected to significantly benefit India's economy by boosting exports to West Asia, stabilising the rupee, and easing inflationary pressures, according to exporters and experts.
The Budget has given signals that India is sensitive to the US needs and willing to walk the extra mile, but if need be, we should respond in equal measure as a sovereign nation, notes Ajay Srivastava.
