The US India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) enthusiastically welcomes President Donald J. Trump’s announcement following his conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which reaffirms their shared commitment to deepen the U.S.–India economic partnership and advance a bilateral trade agreement.

The reduction of India’s reciprocal tariff from 25% to 18% marks an important and positive first step. While the agreement’s specifics are pending, today’s announcement signals strong political will on both sides to move toward a comprehensive U.S.–India Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) that addresses tariffs, market access, non-tariff barriers, and other trade-related issues across a wide range of sectors. A BTA between the two nations would deliver meaningful benefits for businesses, workers, and consumers in both countries, while strengthening supply chains and economic resilience.

Both governments have made clear that this is only the beginning, with additional phases and negotiations anticipated in the months ahead. USISPF is encouraged by the constructive momentum generated by this announcement and remains optimistic about the scope and ambition of what lies ahead.

USISPF reiterates its full commitment to working closely with both the Government of India and the U.S. Government to advance the shared objective of expanding bilateral trade toward the $500 billion target. A stronger U.S.–India trade and investment relationship is not only critical to both economies but also central to advancing a stable, resilient, and rules-based Indo-Pacific.

About the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF):

The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) is committed to creating the most powerful partnership between the United States and India. As the only independent not-for-profit institution dedicated to strengthening the U.S.-India partnership in Washington, D.C., and in New Delhi, USISPF is the trusted partner for businesses, non-profit organizations, the diaspora, and the governments of India and the United States. 

For media inquiries and further information, please contact:

Ankit Jain
ajain@staging.usispf.org +1 (224)460-7900

Akshobh Giridharadas
agiridharadas@staging.usispf.org