Key facts
- Former US official says India has walked away from trade negotiations
- Tariff disagreements cited as the primary reason for the breakdown
- Talks aimed at a bilateral India-US trade deal have stalled
- Indian exporters in pharmaceuticals, textiles, IT face tariff exposure
NDTV reports that a former top US trade official has declared that India has 'walked away' from trade negotiations with the United States, attributing the breakdown to disagreements over tariffs. The statement marks a pointed escalation in the rhetoric surrounding bilateral trade talks that have been underway for months, with both sides struggling to bridge wide gaps on market access and duty structures.
India has reportedly resisted US pressure to lower tariffs on American goods across several sensitive sectors, while seeking guaranteed access and reduced duties for its own exports. The talks had gained urgency after the Trump administration imposed sweeping tariffs on multiple trading partners, prompting India to reassess the terms on offer.
The development is significant given that a successful India-US trade deal had been projected as a flagship economic partnership, with both governments at various points expressing optimism about its prospects. A prolonged impasse could dampen foreign investment sentiment and leave Indian exporters — particularly in pharmaceuticals, textiles, and technology services — exposed to US tariff pressures without the cushion of a formal agreement.