Jaishankar Sets December 2025 Goal for India-US Trade Agreement

New Delhi, April 9, 2025:In the aftermath of sweeping new tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump, India is actively pursuing a bilateral trade agreement with the United States by the end of 2025, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar confirmed on Wednesday.

Addressing the  Rising Bharat Summit, Jaishankar reiterates that India is perhaps the only nation that has reached an initial consensus with Washington after President Trump took office again. His statement was made hours after the US revealed retaliatory tariffs on a range of nations, including India, and raised apprehensions regarding a possible disruption to global trade.

“I do not think one can forecast the complete effect yet, but our approach is very clear—we need to reach a bilateral trade deal with the US by fall of this year,” Jaishankar said. He further added that New Delhi approached the Trump administration early on and prepared the groundwork for constructive engagement.

Negotiations between President Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the February summit in Washington set the stage for official talks. Both countries agreed to negotiate a phased bilateral trade agreement (BTA) aiming at striking a first deal by fall 2025, Jaishankar said.

Looking at past attempts, Jaishankar said talks were launched earlier during Trump’s first term but never happened. India, under the Biden government, was a part of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) but not of bilateral talks. “This time the context is different and the seriousness on both sides can be seen,” he added.

He also pointed to India’s larger trade goals, stating New Delhi is negotiating trade agreements with Europe and the United Kingdom at the same time. “We hope to conclude the FTA with the UK and Europe by the end of the year,” he stated.

While the world trade is uncertain, India’s emphasis on strategic, bilateral agreements is an indication of its pragmatic and adaptive diplomacy.