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India and the United States have concluded their trade discussions in New Delhi, advancing their commitment to expanding bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030 as outlined in the India-U.S. Joint Statement of February 13, 2025. The four-day meeting, held from March 26-29, focused on the framework for a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) aimed at enhancing economic cooperation across multiple sectors. Both sides agreed on the next steps toward a multi-sector BTA, with plans to finalise its first tranche by fall 2025. Expert-level virtual discussions will commence in the coming weeks, setting the stage for in-person negotiations. The talks also covered key areas such as market access expansion, tariff and non-tariff barrier reduction, and supply chain integration, ensuring a mutually beneficial approach. This meeting follows Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal’s visit to Washington, D.C. (March 4-6, 2025), where he met with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Subsequent video conferences helped lay the groundwork for the New Delhi discussions. The successful talks mark a significant step in strengthening India-U.S. economic ties, unlocking new business opportunities, and reinforcing trade and investment cooperation. Both nations expressed satisfaction with the progress made and reaffirmed their commitment to finalising the BTA, ensuring it aligns with shared objectives of prosperity, resilience, and mutual growth. (PIB)