New Delhi: The United States has stepped up trade negotiations with India, with senior officials describing New Delhi’s latest proposals on agricultural access as the most substantial offered to Washington in years. During a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the discussions underway in New Delhi were progressing faster and more constructively than in previous administrations.
Greer noted that India had put forward offers aimed at easing entry for several American farm products, including grain sorghum and soy. Although he acknowledged continuing resistance in certain segments of India’s agricultural sector, he described the current talks as unusually open and forward-moving. He added that India’s growing demand and shifting global market conditions had positioned it as an alternative destination for US commodities at a time when producers are managing large inventories and fluctuating Chinese demand.
Senators highlighted the pressure faced by American farmers and stressed the need to diversify export destinations. Greer responded that Washington’s intensified outreach to India was part of a broader reorientation of trade relationships designed to secure reciprocal access and reduce dependence on any single market. He said similar efforts were underway across Southeast Asia and Europe, helping create stable long-term opportunities for US exporters.
Beyond agriculture, Greer signaled that discussions with India were also advancing in sectors such as civil aviation. He noted progress on issues linked to zero-tariff treatment for aircraft parts under long-standing agreements and indicated that Washington was prepared to extend favourable terms if trading partners offered meaningful access in return.
Energy and biofuels also formed part of the conversation. Senators pointed to India’s potential as a major buyer of US ethanol, while Greer said ongoing global negotiations had already opened several new markets for American producers. He highlighted commitments from Europe to increase purchases of US energy products, including biofuels, over the coming years.
Throughout the hearing, Greer argued that firm enforcement and sustained negotiation remained central to unlocking market barriers. He stated that the administration’s approach was delivering progress on tariffs, regulatory hurdles and approvals affecting pharmaceuticals and other exports.
India–US trade ties have expanded steadily over the past decade, with both countries working to widen access across agriculture, digital services, aviation, pharmaceuticals and critical minerals. Talks have accelerated in recent years under strategic dialogue frameworks focused on supply-chain diversification and deeper commercial integration.
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