India and the US are holding a day of trade talks, sparking hope that stalled negotiations on a bilateral agreement will soon resume.
A team led by US trade negotiator Brendan Lynch is in Delhi to meet officials from India's commerce ministry.
India said the meeting doesn't mark the start of the next round of negotiations, describing it as a discussion about trying to see how an agreement can be reached.
Negotiations on a trade deal had stalled after US President Donald Trump imposed a hefty 50% tariff on Indian goods, partly as a penalty for Delhi's purchase of Russian oil and weapons. India has defended its decision, citing domestic energy needs, and called the tariffs unfair.
The hefty duties, along with strong criticism of India by Trump and his key officials, have led to a swift deterioration in ties between the allies. India is a major exporter of goods including garments, shrimp, and gems and jewellery to the US, and the tariffs have already impacted production and livelihoods.
So Tuesday's meeting between Indian and US officials is being closely watched. Rajesh Agrawal, who is leading the discussions on India's behalf, stated, This is not an official round of negotiations but it will definitely be a discussion on the trade talks and on trying to see how we can reach an agreement between India and the US.
A round of negotiations was called off last month following Trump's tariff announcement and India's refusal to stop buying Russian oil. However, in the past few days, optimism has been rising as US trade adviser Peter Navarro indicated that India is taking steps to engage.
Recent statements from both Trump and Modi highlight a willingness to negotiate, although key sticking points remain, particularly related to agriculture and dairy sectors, which have historically been protected under Indian policies.
With both nations expressing cautious optimism, today's discussions could be pivotal in shaping the future of trade relations between India and the US.
