Why has India-U.S. trade deal been delayed? | Explained
India and the United States face growing complications in finalizing a comprehensive trade agreement due to geopolitical and domestic legal shifts. Key points of friction include India's energy ties with Russia and ongoing regulatory challenges within Washington.
The potential for a major bilateral trade deal between India and the United States has slowed as both nations navigate complex geopolitical realignments. India's continued purchase of Russian oil amid international sanctions has emerged as a significant point of contention for U.S. policymakers seeking to align strategic interests.
Domestically, the U.S. government is managing internal legal and legislative hurdles that have complicated the fast-tracking of trade negotiations. These hurdles have shifted the focus toward smaller, sectoral agreements rather than the holistic trade pact originally envisioned by leaders in both New Delhi and Washington.
Furthermore, disagreements over intellectual property rights, agricultural market access, and data localization policies continue to persist. These structural differences require extensive diplomatic coordination that has been hindered by evolving domestic priorities in an election-heavy global calendar. Source: The Hindu
