Back on the Table, But Still Hanging by a Thread – India Legal

By Annunthra Rangan

After years of setbacks, the long-discussed India-US commerce deal has resurfaced, with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal just lately main a delegation to Washington. The temper music was acquainted: “constructive discussions”, “shared ambition”, and “dedication to proceed engagement”. But in contrast to earlier rounds, each capitals seem extra decided to keep away from one other stalemate—even when the variations stay stark.

India and the US are already one another’s largest buying and selling companions, however frictions over tariffs, subsidies, visas, agriculture, and prescription drugs have lengthy strained the connection. A complete pact is seen as the way in which to easy these irritants and set up a stronger basis for financial cooperation.

The fast flashpoint is tariffs. Over the previous yr, Washington has slapped steep duties on Indian exports, some as excessive as 50 per cent. What started as retaliation has now develop into a bargaining chip. For India, tariff reduction is non-negotiable. For the US, nevertheless, any rollback is tied to New Delhi cutting down its purchases of discounted Russian crude—a linkage India sees as unacceptable interference in its vitality safety.

Power is just one sticking level. Agriculture stays one other. Washington has constantly demanded higher entry for US farm and dairy merchandise, however India fears the backlash from farmers and cooperatives who could be hit by cheaper imports. Equally, disputes over prescription drugs mirror clashing priorities: US companies need stronger patent protections, whereas India insists on holding medicines reasonably priced for home and growing world markets. Added to this are grievances over visa restrictions for expert Indian staff, which New Delhi sees as discriminatory.

Regardless of these variations, there are indicators of pragmatism. India has proposed a “future-proof” clause, promising the US the identical commerce concessions it might lengthen to others in future agreements. For Washington, this might guarantee it isn’t undercut by India’s offers with Europe or Asia. The truth that such a clause is even being mentioned highlights how significantly each side now take the connection.

The timing additionally issues. Washington needs to point out progress on decreasing the commerce deficit with India, whereas New Delhi hopes to safe tariff reduction and simpler mobility for its professionals. Even a modest deal would sign that two of the world’s largest democracies can ship outcomes amid rising protectionism.

Nonetheless, the dangers of failure loom massive. By tying tariffs to vitality purchases, Washington has elevated the talks past economics, turning them right into a take a look at of strategic alignment. For India, conceding an excessive amount of dangers could seem as a compromise of sovereignty. For the US, failing to extract concessions dangers showing weak on sanctions.

Analysts counsel {that a} “section one” settlement is probably the most real looking final result—masking industrial items and maybe symbolic vitality commitments—whereas leaving the hardest points unresolved. A sweeping settlement stays unlikely given home political sensitivities on each side.

What is obvious is that the stakes go effectively past commerce. A collapse might erode belief within the broader India-US strategic partnership, whereas even a restricted success might unlock cooperation in clear vitality, digital commerce, and demanding minerals. In the end, the end result hinges much less on technical options—which exist—and extra on whether or not leaders in Delhi and Washington are keen to spend political capital to bridge the hole.

The talks are again on, the intent is severe, however the result’s something however sure. 

—The author is a Senior Analysis Officer at Chennai Centre for China Research. Her analysis pursuits represent China-WANA (West Asia and North Africa) relations and human rights