India-US Trade Talks: Piyush Goyal’s Visit on September 22 Critical for Bilateral Agreement

Commerce and Industries Minister Piyush Goyal is set to visit the United States on September 22, 2025, to advance bilateral trade discussions aimed at finalising a long-awaited trade agreement. The visit gains urgency amidst fresh trade tensions and ongoing efforts to double the India-US trade volume by 2030.

Piyush Goyal’s September 22 Visit to Deepen Bilateral Trade Discussions

India’s trade delegation, headed by Minister Piyush Goyal, will travel to New York on September 22, 2025, following positive outcomes from earlier meetings held in India on September 16. The main agenda is to accelerate negotiations for the proposed Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) aimed at boosting economic ties to $500 billion by 2030 from the current $191 billion. The delegates include Special Secretary Rajesh Agrawal and other senior officials who will engage with their US counterparts, including officials from the United States Trade Representative (USTR).

Tariff Disputes and Visa Fee Hike: Added Complexity to Ongoing Talks

The urgency of the talks increases due to recent developments such as the US administration's decision to raise the H-1B visa application fee to $1,00,000. This move is expected to disrupt business continuity for Indian technology firms managing onshore projects in the US. Additionally, previous tariffs by the US of 50% on Indian exports and an additional 25% penalty for importing Russian crude have intensified the need for a swift resolution.

Read More: Have US Tariffs Revived the Old Spirit of Swadeshi Among Indian Buyers and Businesses?!

Progress Till Date and Future Trade Objectives

So far, 5 negotiation rounds have been completed since bilateral leaders instructed trade officials in February 2025 to formalise the BTA. During the 7-hour meeting on September 16 between US Chief Negotiator Brendan Lynch and Indian counterpart Rajesh Agrawal, both sides agreed to increase momentum for early conclusion. Goyal had also visited Washington in May this year, where he met US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick for similar deliberations.

Current Trade Dynamics Between India and the US

The US continues to be India's top trading partner for the 4th year in a row, with bilateral trade valued at $131.84 billion in 2024-25. This includes $86.5 billion in exports. The US accounts for 18% of India’s exports, 6.22% of its imports, and 10.73% of its total merchandise trade.

Conclusion

Piyush Goyal’s upcoming visit to the United States marks a critical step in resolving trade challenges and firmly moving ahead with the India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement. With tariff disputes and visa costs adding pressure, both nations aim for a swift and mutually favourable settlement that could reshape global trade relations.

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