In the relationship between India and America, the tussle that was being seen in recent times, now signs of softness have started appearing in it. After the decisions of the strict tariffs of US President Donald Trump, the trade talks between the two countries are going to start once again. The conversation will be held in New Delhi on Tuesday, where a delegation of American trade officials is coming to India.
Negotiations will be held for the first time after tariff
The conversation of this time is special because it is the first face-to-face conversation after Trump’s heavy duty on India. Significantly, on August 27, the Trump administration imposed a punitive fee on India for buying oil from Russia. Under this, a fee of up to 50% was imposed, with 25% fee focused on only Russian oil. Due to this, the sixth round of talks on the proposed bilateral trade agreement between India and the US were postponed.
There will be concrete discussion on business issues
According to an ET report, Rajesh Aggarwal, Special Secretary, Department of Commerce, on behalf of the Government of India, informed that this meeting is not a formal dialogue on BTA, but there will be concrete discussion on business issues between the two countries. The US contingent will be led by Brendon Lynch, who has previously been an American trade representative for India.
Rajesh Aggarwal says that this conversation is not part of formal dialogue, but it can be considered as ‘continuity’ of conversation. Its purpose is to remove misunderstandings between the two countries and set a way forward.
There was a tense atmosphere till last week
In the last few weeks, virtual meetings took place between the US and India, but no concrete results were found. The atmosphere was not favorable for some time because America was pressurizing India to stop purchasing oil from Russia. America argues that this gives Russia funding for Ukraine War. At the same time, India has made it clear that it will take decisions according to its energy needs.
Trump’s changed style
However, now Trump’s attitude seems to be quite changed. He recently wrote on the social media platform ‘Truth Social’ that he is excited about the conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India and he is confident that any business barrier between the two countries will soon be overcome. Prime Minister Modi also reacted positively to this statement and said that the teams of both the countries are engaged in taking this conversation to the result as soon as possible.
Will the agreement be done soon?
The meeting being held in New Delhi is being considered a new turn in the relationship between the two countries. The soft attitude adopted by Trump indicates that a business agreement between India and the US may be possible in the coming times.