India, US defer Washington talks on interim trade deal after US Supreme Court tariff ruling

New Delhi: India and the United States have decided to reschedule the proposed meeting of chief negotiators that was set to begin in Washington on Monday to finalise elements of an interim trade agreement, official sources said on Sunday.

The Indian delegation was scheduled to start a three-day round of discussions in the US capital from February 23. Darpan Jain, Joint Secretary in the Commerce Ministry, is India’s chief negotiator for the proposed interim trade pact.

According to Commerce Ministry sources, the meeting has been deferred to allow both sides time to assess the implications of a recent ruling by the Supreme Court of the United States that struck down certain retaliatory tariffs imposed by former US President Donald Trump on multiple countries.

“The talks will be rescheduled to a mutually convenient date after both sides complete internal consultations on the impact of the court’s decision,” a source said.

The development assumes significance as the US Supreme Court’s ruling has altered the tariff landscape that had shaped ongoing trade negotiations. Following the court’s judgment, the US had announced a 10 per cent tariff on imports from several countries, including India, effective February 24. The rate was subsequently increased to 15 per cent.

Earlier, in August 2025, the US had imposed a 25 per cent retaliatory tariff on Indian goods. The levy was later raised to 50 per cent, including an additional 25 per cent penalty linked to India’s continued purchase of crude oil from Russia.

Earlier this month, India and the US had worked out a framework to conclude an interim trade deal. Under that arrangement, Washington had reduced import duties on Indian goods to 18 per cent, offering partial relief amid strained trade ties.

Officials indicated that the postponement does not signal a breakdown in negotiations but reflects the need to recalibrate positions in light of evolving legal and policy developments in the US.

Both sides remain engaged through diplomatic channels, and fresh dates for the Washington talks are expected to be announced after consultations are completed.