New Delhi/Washington: In a crucial trade and defense dialogue, India and the United States discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation just days before President Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariffs regime is set to take effect.
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau engaged in a phone conversation, focusing on strengthening defense partnerships and fostering economic growth in the Indo-Pacific region. The discussion aimed at addressing key trade barriers and bolstering collaboration in defense and technology.
Bilateral Trade and Economic Concerns
In a statement, US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce noted, “They discussed ongoing efforts to reduce barriers to achieve a fair and balanced bilateral trade relationship, strengthen collaboration in defense and technology, and boost security and prosperity throughout the Indo-Pacific region.”
Trade relations between the two nations have been under scrutiny, with the US Trade Representative’s office reporting a goods trade deficit of $45.7 billion with India in 2024, marking a 5.4% increase from the previous year. The total trade in goods between the two countries amounted to an estimated $129.2 billion in 2024.
US imports from India stood at $87.4 billion, reflecting a 4.5% rise, while American exports to India increased by 3.4% to $41.8 billion. However, President Trump has criticized India’s rising tariffs on US goods and urged the Indian government to increase imports from the US. The Trump administration is expected to implement reciprocal tariffs on select nations, with India being among the potential targets.
Despite the tariff dispute, there have been discussions regarding possible exemptions, though the White House has not confirmed any specific nations that may benefit from such measures.
Cooperation on Immigration Issues
Apart from trade and defense, the two officials also addressed immigration concerns. Bruce highlighted that Landau expressed gratitude to India for its assistance in tackling illegal immigration to the US and requested continued cooperation from the Indian government.
The US has deported hundreds of Indian nationals who were found to have entered the country illegally. The first deportation under the Trump administration’s stricter immigration policy took place in February 2025. According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, between 2009 and 2024, a total of 15,564 Indian nationals were deported by the US through chartered and commercial flights.
With Trump’s tariffs set to take effect soon, the coming days will be crucial in determining the direction of India-US trade relations. The outcome of these discussions is likely to impact not only bilateral economic ties but also broader geopolitical dynamics in the Indo-Pacific region.
