India-US proposed BTA to be finalised soon

NEW DELHI : India and the US are close to working out the final proposal for the proposed bilateral trade agreement, and are now starting to work on the possible text for the deal, as reported.

The proposed Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) is likely to be finalised by July 8, before President Trump’s reciprocal tariffs kick in.

The trade deal had hit a rough patch key sticking points emerging in sectors such as dairy, agriculture, digital, and medical services.

One of the major hurdles is US dairy exports. Indian negotiators have firmly stated that unless the US alters its animal feed practices, particularly its use of non-vegetarian feed for cattle, or adopts India’s vegetarian certification norms, products like American cheese and butter will not be allowed entry. However, India has expressed openness to considering tariff cuts on select items such as nuts and fruits.

“US is pushing so hard for market access for agricultural products. But India has to protect the interests of a much larger population, it is more of a livelihood issue than a commercial issue for us,” one senior government official told Moneycontrol.

The urgency to seal a deal by July 9 stems from the looming imposition of a 10 percent universal tariff and an additional 16 percent country-specific US tariff on Indian goods. Indian officials reportedly view the US position as deviating from the spirit of the joint statement issued by the two countries on February 13, which pledged a “mutually beneficial” Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) by fall 2025

Source : Moneycontrol