India's Trade Negotiation Strategy
Calibrated Engagement
India historically has been cautious in trade liberalization — it did not join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in 2020 and has moved slowly on FTAs. The India-US BTA represents a departure toward more active trade diplomacy.
- RCEP exit (2020): India pulled out citing concerns over China's likely use of RCEP partners to flood India with goods, and inadequate services concessions.
- India's FTA track record: Active agreements include ASEAN, Japan, South Korea, UAE (CEPA), Australia (ECTA); negotiations ongoing with EU, UK, and now US.
- Non-tariff barriers (NTBs) as Indian tool: India uses SPS (sanitary and phytosanitary) measures, BIS standards, and customs procedures to manage import flows — these are a major US complaint.
- Agriculture sensitivity: India protects its farm sector with high tariffs (average agricultural tariff ~33%) — US push for dairy and poultry market access is a politically sensitive ask.
● Tracked since March 16, 2026 · last seen June 21, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
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