The commerce ministry on Friday said India and the United States remain engaged in discussions for a mutually beneficial bilateral trade agreement, denying reports that talks had been put on hold.
“We have noted a media report regarding ongoing trade talks with the US. It is denied that there is any hold off in bilateral engagement. It is reiterated that the two sides remain engaged for a mutually beneficial trade agreement,” the ministry said in a statement.
The remarks come amid heightened scrutiny of India’s trade practices, following the United States Trade Representative (USTR) on March 11 launching a fresh round of Section 301 investigations targeting the policies and industrial practices of 16 economies, including India and China.
The development follows a US Supreme Court decision striking down sweeping tariffs imposed by the US administration, after which former President Donald Trump announced 10 per cent tariffs on all countries for 150 days starting February 24.