Business · Trade · 8 hrs ago
India and US discuss customs as trade deal talks continue
US and Indian officials held customs talks in New Delhi on November 2 and 3.
The two-member US delegation met officials from India’s Commerce Ministry to discuss simplifying customs and removing administrative barriers to trade.
The talks are part of negotiations for an interim trade agreement, within a broader deal the countries have pursued since 2025.
India and the US announced a framework for an interim agreement in February, but it was not signed after a US court ruling invalidated the basis for a proposed preferential tariff arrangement.
Changes to US tariffs have also complicated negotiations, even though officials say most discussions are complete.
India is seeking competitive access for its exporters, while both sides want to strengthen trade and economic ties.
The countries are working through the remaining details and India is awaiting a new US tariff framework.
US and Indian officials held talks in New Delhi on customs and trade facilitation as they work toward a proposed bilateral trade agreement.
A two-member US delegation met with officials from India’s Commerce Ministry on November 2-3, government sources said.
The discussions covered customs procedures, administrative bottlenecks and trade facilitation frameworks.
The talks are part of negotiations on an interim agreement within the broader bilateral trade agreement.
Officials from both countries have said most discussions are complete, but some details remain to be resolved.
- Who
- A two-member US delegation of trade and customs officials met Indian Commerce Ministry officials.
- What
- They discussed customs and trade facilitation as part of ongoing bilateral trade agreement negotiations.
- When
- November 2-3, 2026.
- Where
- New Delhi, India.
- Why
- To advance trade facilitation and customs cooperation as the countries work toward an interim trade agreement.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
India and the United States launched negotiations on a bilateral trade agreement after discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump.
The two countries issued a joint statement outlining a framework for an interim bilateral trade agreement.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the countries were very close to finalising the proposed trade agreement.
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said most discussions were complete and the sides were fine-tuning the agreement.
US trade and customs officials held discussions with India’s Commerce Ministry in New Delhi.
- US delegation
- Two trade and customs officials
- Meeting dates
- November 2-3, 2026
- Meeting location
- New Delhi
- Indian ministry
- Commerce Ministry
- Talks covered
- Customs procedures, administrative bottlenecks and trade facilitation frameworks
3 sources
What people are saying
We have concluded most of the discussions and are fine-tuning the agreement
We're very, very close
I think there's a small number of items to wrap up, so I think that will happen shortly