Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, speaking during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the United Kingdom, echoed a similar sentiment. He confirmed that India remains actively engaged in talks with the US on a potential Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA), and emphasised the importance of maintaining close dialogue with American counterparts.

The stakes are high, with the United States and India counting on each other as indispensable partners in their competition with China.

India is preparing to face higher U.S. tariffs — likely between 20% and 25% — on some of its exports as a temporary measure, as it holds off on fresh trade concessions ahead of Washington's August 1 deadline,