India will send a trade delegation to Washington on April 20 to advance negotiations on a proposed bilateral trade agreement with the United States, as both sides seek clarity on evolving US tariff policies.
The Indian delegation will be led by chief negotiator Darpan Jain. Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal said the visit marks the first in-person meeting between the two sides in three to four months, after continued virtual engagements. He added that discussions will focus on finalising the legal framework following the joint statement issued on February 7.
Officials said both countries will work on timelines and next steps, while noting that clarity on US tariff rules remains essential before concluding any agreement.
Earlier this year, the two sides reached an interim arrangement to reduce tariffs on Indian exports to 18 percent after the US Supreme Court struck down certain reciprocal tariffs. Duties linked to India’s purchase of Russian oil have been rolled back, though tariffs under Section 232 remain unchanged.
The renewed talks come as trade flows face pressure from geopolitical tensions. Government data shows exports to West Asia fell 57.95 percent in March 2026, a drop of $3.5 billion, while imports declined 51.6 percent, or $8.7 billion, reflecting disruptions in the region.
Despite global headwinds, India’s total exports for the 2025 financial year reached $860.09 billion, rising by $35 billion from the previous year. Including services, exports stood at $974.9 billion, marking a growth of 4.22 percent.
Imports rose 6.4 percent to $979.4 billion, driven by high gold and silver prices, pushing the trade deficit to $119 billion from $94.6 billion a year earlier. Merchandise exports increased marginally by 1 percent to $441.78 billion.
Key export growth was seen in electronic and engineering goods, marine products, and agricultural sectors such as meat and dairy. Exports to China rose by $5 billion, while shipments to Spain increased by $2 billion. However, March merchandise exports fell to $38.92 billion from $42.05 billion a year earlier.
India is also advancing trade agreements with other partners. The India-UK free trade agreement is expected to take effect by May 2026, while a deal with New Zealand is set to be signed on April 27. Negotiations with Oman and the European Union are ongoing.
The Commerce Ministry has also launched a new digital platform to improve trade governance, offering real-time data access and a grievance redressal system for exporters. Officials said these efforts aim to strengthen resilience against global disruptions and sustain export growth.