India-US trade pact is 90% complete, senior US official says

A near-final India-US bilateral trade agreement could lower barriers and reshape market access for Indian consumer brands, retailers and import-export supply chains. Final provisions, including competitive-access terms, are still being negotiated.

— Source publishedFri, 25 Sept, 2026, 23:14 IST·First seen Fri, 25 Sept, 2026, 23:19 IST·Source BL · Consumer & Economy

What happened

India-US bilateral trade agreement · India and the US are nearing completion of a bilateral trade pact aimed at lowering trade barriers and tariffs. The

Key facts

  • 90% complete
  • February 2026
  • 13th Annual Forum 2026 India 3.0

What changed

India and the US are nearing completion of a bilateral trade pact aimed at lowering trade barriers and tariffs. The agreement could affect Indian retailers, consumer brands and import-export supply chains through improved US market access and reciprocal trade terms.

Why this matters

A near-final India-US trade pact could reduce sourcing and market-entry friction for retailers and consumer brands, but operators should wait for the unresolved competitive-access terms before changing supply-chain plans.

What to watch

  • Release of the final agreement text, tariff schedules, phase-in periods and rules-of-origin requirements.
  • Whether agriculture, dairy, alcoholic beverages, medical devices, digital trade and e-commerce receive meaningful concessions or exclusions.
  • Commitments on customs digitization, de minimis treatment, product standards recognition, inspections and dispute resolution.
  • Indian tariff changes on US consumer imports and US duty changes on Indian textiles, apparel, gems, leather, home goods and packaged products.
  • Statements from Indian domestic industry groups and US farm, retail and manufacturing lobbies indicating political resistance.

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