India’s Trade Minister Piyush Goyal made it clear that New Delhi is ready to pursue a trade agreement with the US—but only if it aligns with India’s national interests, not merely to hit the looming July 9 deadline imposed by Washington. With pressure mounting from Washington—warning of potential 26% punitive tariffs if no deal is struck by then—India is pushing back on demands to open its agriculture and dairy markets, while seeking tariff concessions on its own exports. Goyal emphasized that any deal must deliver genuine “two‑way benefits” before India will proceed, reaffirming that “national interest will always be supreme”

This stance comes as both sides intensify high‑level discussions in the US ahead of the July deadline. While the Trump administration has signaled a deal is near, India continues to hold firm on key red lines—particularly dairy and agriculture sectors. Despite US insistence on a time-bound outcome, Goyal reiterated that negotiations won’t be rushed and that terms must be finalised on their merit, not by deadline .

The global news perspective:

• India stands firm on national interest over deadlines, resisting US pressure to open sensitive sectors and pushing for reciprocal tariff concessions—particularly on auto, steel, and agricultural imports .
• The White House remains optimistic, describing the two nations as “very strategic allies” and suggesting a deal is on the cusp of being concluded

sources