Amid growing strain in trade relations, the United States has cancelled a scheduled visit of its negotiating team to India later this month. The team, which was to be in New Delhi from August 25 to 29, was expected to hold the sixth round of discussions on a bilateral trade agreement. The talks are now likely to be rescheduled, 

The timing of the meeting was seen as critical, since it coincided with August 27, the date when an additional 25% US tariff on Indian goods is set to take effect. This comes on top of earlier duties announced by President Donald Trump, which he linked to India’s continued purchases of Russian oil. The US move has heightened tensions, even as both sides had been aiming to finalise a trade pact by September-October.

One of the main sticking points remains Washington’s demand for greater market access in agriculture and dairy. India has resisted, arguing that any such concession would hurt small and marginal farmers. Cultural and religious sensitivities around milk imports have also played a role.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day address, reinforced his support for farmers, fishermen and livestock rearers, while urging citizens to embrace swadeshi or Made-in-India products. “India will never accept any compromise regarding its farmers, its livestock rearers, its fishermen,” he declared from the Red Fort.

Meanwhile, hopes of relief rest partly on geopolitics. President Trump met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska to discuss the Ukraine conflict, fuelling speculation that easing tensions could soften the tariff stance. Speaking to Fox News, Mr Trump hinted that he may not need to impose “secondary tariffs” on countries importing Russian oil. “Maybe I won’t have to do it,” he remarked cryptically.

Amid growing strain in trade relations, the United States has cancelled a scheduled visit of its negotiating team to India later this month. The team, which was to be in New Delhi from August 25 to 29, was expected to hold the sixth round of discussions on a bilateral trade agreement. The talks are now likely to be rescheduled, 

The timing of the meeting was seen as critical, since it coincided with August 27, the date when an additional 25% US tariff on Indian goods is set to take effect. This comes on top of earlier duties announced by President Donald Trump, which he linked to India’s continued purchases of Russian oil. The US move has heightened tensions, even as both sides had been aiming to finalise a trade pact by September-October.

One of the main sticking points remains Washington’s demand for greater market access in agriculture and dairy. India has resisted, arguing that any such concession would hurt small and marginal farmers. Cultural and religious sensitivities around milk imports have also played a role.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day address, reinforced his support for farmers, fishermen and livestock rearers, while urging citizens to embrace swadeshi or Made-in-India products. “India will never accept any compromise regarding its farmers, its livestock rearers, its fishermen,” he declared from the Red Fort.

Meanwhile, hopes of relief rest partly on geopolitics. President Trump met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska to discuss the Ukraine conflict, fuelling speculation that easing tensions could soften the tariff stance. Speaking to Fox News, Mr Trump hinted that he may not need to impose “secondary tariffs” on countries importing Russian oil. “Maybe I won’t have to do it,” he remarked cryptically.