BackECONOMY
India-US trade talks begin in Washington focusing on tariffs and first-phase BTA
India and the United States begin a three-day round of trade negotiations in Washington on April 20-22 to finalise the first phase of a Bilateral Trade Agreement. The talks follow a reset of the US tariff regime, including a temporary 10% across-the-board tariff for 150 days, and India aims to recalibrate commitments under the new framework while addressing ongoing Section 301 probes.
Why It Matters
The outcome could affect trade costs and market access for Indian exporters in the US, influence broader economic ties, and shape how the first phase of the Bilateral Trade Agreement is drafted under a changed global tariff regime.
Timeline
6 Events
July 23, 2026 – Temporary tariff framework ends
July 23, 2026
The 150-day temporary 10% tariff framework is scheduled to end on July 23, 2026.
April 22, 2026 – Scheduled end of the three-day talks
April 22, 2026
The talks are scheduled to conclude on April 22, 2026, with a view to recalibrating and redrafting commitments under the new global tariff framework and the first phase of the Bilateral Trade Agreement.
April 20, 2026 – Start of three-day India-US trade talks in Washington
April 20, 2026
India and the United States commence a three-day round of high-stakes trade negotiations in Washington, D.C., led by India’s chief negotiator Darpan Jain. The 12-member Indian delegation will engage with US counterparts from commerce, customs and external affairs ministries, with discussions running through April 22, 2026, to finalise the first phase of a Bilateral Trade Agreement. Ongoing USTR Section 301 probes are expected to be a major point.
February 24, 2026 – US imposes temporary 10% tariff on all trading partners for 150 days
February 24, 2026
The United States rolled out a temporary flat 10% tariff on all trading partners for 150 days starting February 24, 2026, in response to changes under the IEEPA framework following a US Supreme Court ruling that struck down reciprocal tariffs.
February 2026 – Chief negotiators' meeting postponed due to tariff upheaval
February 2026
A February meeting between India's and the US's chief negotiators was postponed because of the upheaval in tariff policy.
October 2025 – Last in-person India-US trade talks prior to current round
October 2025
The article notes that the current talks are the first in-person discussions since October 2025.