The United States has put on hold trade negotiations with India that were scheduled to take place in New Delhi between August 25 and 29, according to multiple media reports.
Talks aimed at clinching a trade deal have been under way since February but have now been paused, the Indian Express reported on Sunday, citing sources familiar with the matter. NDTV said the latest round of discussions, originally planned for the last week of August, will be rescheduled for a later date.
The delay comes as a major setback for Indian businesses, which are already grappling with higher costs from US tariffs. Washington has imposed a 50 percent tariff on Indian goods — the highest on any country globally.
Indian traders are currently paying a 25 percent duty, with the remaining 25 percent set to take effect on August 27. Manufacturers had been hoping for some relief through negotiations before the full tariff burden was implemented.
Tensions between the two countries deepened earlier this month when US President Donald Trump announced an additional punitive 25 percent levy on Indian goods, linking the move to India’s continued imports of Russian oil.
So far, five rounds of talks have taken place, but progress has stalled amid disagreements over opening India’s farm and dairy sectors and Washington’s demand that New Delhi curb its purchases of Russian crude.
