New Delhi/New York: Senior Union Ministers Piyush Goyal and S Jaishankar will hold key meetings in the US this week. Commerce Minister Goyal will lead an official delegation to discuss the proposed bilateral trade agreement. He is expected to meet USTR Jamieson Greer in New York City to push for a mutually beneficial deal. Special Secretary Rajesh Agrawal and other officials will accompany him.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio for bilateral discussions. This is their first face-to-face meeting since the US imposed a 25% tariff on India over Russian oil imports. Jaishankar will also deliver India’s national statement at the UN General Debate on September 27.
The trade talks follow recent discussions between US Chief Negotiator Brendan Lynch and Rajesh Agrawal. India and the US aim to conclude the first phase of the Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) by October–November 2025. The pact targets doubling bilateral trade to USD 500 billion by 2030, up from USD 191 billion currently.
The ministers’ visits gain further importance after the US increased the H-1B visa application fee to USD 100,000. Industry body Nasscom warned this may affect India’s tech services companies and disrupt onshore project operations.
