India-US Trade Deal Negotiations in “Full Force,” Says Finance Minister
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman confirmed on November 6, 2025, that negotiations for the India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) are proceeding with full force, though she emphasized that the nation must await the final conclusions of these ongoing discussions.
Key Takeaways
- India-US BTA negotiations are actively underway with “full force”
- Five rounds of talks have been completed so far
- Deal aims to boost bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030
- India insists on protecting farmers, fishermen, and MSME interests
Government’s Firm Stance on Trade Deal
Speaking at the 12th SBI Banking and Economics Conclave 2025, Sitharaman stated:
“Efforts to have trade agreement signed are in full force. We will wait for the conclusions.”
The Finance Minister reiterated that India is simultaneously engaged in trade negotiations with both the United States and European Union, confirming that the Commerce Ministry is “seriously engaged” in these discussions.
Multiple Ministries Confirm Progress
The Ministry of External Affairs, through spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, had earlier confirmed on October 30, 2025, that authorities “continue to remain engaged with the US side to conclude a trade deal.”
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal had previously described the BTA discussions as “progressing in a cordial manner” on October 18, 2025, while firmly stating:
“No agreement until interests of the nation — India’s farmers, India’s fishermen, India’s MSME sector are fully addressed.”
Challenges and Timeline
The trade negotiations occur against the backdrop of significant tariff barriers, including:
- 50% additional tariffs on Indian goods imported into America
- 100% import duty on branded pharmaceutical products
The first tranche deadline was set for October-November 2025, with the ambitious goal of increasing bilateral trade from the current $191 billion to $500 billion by 2030, as directed after the Trump-Modi meeting in February 2025.
The primary challenge remains the US seeking greater access to India’s agricultural market while India prioritizes protection for its farmers. Both nations continue discussions to resolve these critical issues.
