NEW DELHI (Diya TV) — S. Jaishankar, India’s External Affairs Minister, called on the U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and urged the conclusion of a bilateral trade deal as tariff tensions mount. Jaishankar posted on X that both had concurred with hastening the completion of the agreement.
The exchange has come in the aftermath of the recent imposition of “reciprocal tariffs” by the U.S. administration that have shaken global markets. With effect from April 9, the U.S. will charge an additional 26% duty on Indian items, except for pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and some energy products.
Even with these developments, Indian officials say New Delhi has no plans to retaliate in the short term. Rather, efforts are focused on moving forward with trade negotiations. India and the U.S. agreed last February to conclude an early trade pact by autumn 2025 to settle bilateral tariff disputes.
The industries at highest risk of the raised tariffs are electronics, gems and jewellery, and fishing. But Indian officials see the shifting international trading climate as a chance to widen access to the markets of America, particularly given American firms’ need to diversify supply chains from China.
