India, US agree on early conclusion of bilateral trade pact

Amid global uncertainty triggered by reciprocal tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has spoken to his US counterpart Marco Rubio and the two “agreed” on the importance of an early conclusion to the ongoing discussions for a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) between the two countries.

Jaishankar tonight posted on X about the talk he had with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and added, “Agreed on the importance of the early conclusion of the Bilateral Trade Agreement.”

“Good to speak with @SecRubio (Marco Rubio), exchanged perspectives on the Indo-Pacific, the Indian subcontinent, Europe, Middle East/West Asia and the Caribbean…Look forward to remaining in touch,” Jaishankar said in a post on X.

Indian and US trade negotiators have had a four-day round of talks (March 26-29) in New Delhi. Trump imposed the tariffs on April 2.

India and the US, in February, committed to having a BTA by September-October this year. Indian and US trade teams have been working on the conclusion of a mutually beneficial, multi-sectoral BTA. These cover a wide range of issues of mutual interest, including deepening supply chain integration.

“We remain in touch with the Trump Administration on these issues and expect to take them forward in the coming days,” a statement of the Department of Commerce said on April 3.

Jaishankar and Rubio spoke even as the European Union offered to negotiate with the US and offered zero-for-zero tariffs.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen today said at an event in Brussels, “We stand ready to negotiate with the US. Indeed, we have offered zero-for-zero tariffs.”

“Europe is ready for a good deal. So we keep it on the table. But we are also prepared to respond through countermeasures and defend our interests,” Leyen added.

India