India, U.S. officials conclude round of talks on proposed trade pact: Sources

U.S. and India negotiate trade agreement amid tariff tensions, aiming to double bilateral trade by 2030.

India and the visiting U.S. officials have concluded a round of talks on Saturday (March 29, 2025) for the proposed bilateral trade agreement, government sources said.

They said the negotiations are progressing well.

A team of U.S. officials, headed by Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for South and Central Asia Brendan Lynch, was here for negotiations on the proposed agreement.

On Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "very smart man" and a "great friend of mine" while emphasising that tariff talks would "work out very well between India and our country".

The remarks assume significance since Mr. Trump has repeatedly criticised the alleged high tariffs charged by India and other countries on American goods. He has announced plans to impose reciprocal tariffs on its key trading partners, including India, on April 2.

"India is one of the highest tariffing nations in the world. It's brutal, it's brutal. They're very smart. He [Modi] is a very smart man and a great friend of mine. We had very good talks. I think it's going to work out very well between India and our country," Mr. Trump said.

The U.S. has already imposed duties on China.