INDIA HARDENS STANCE ON FARM SECTOR CONCESSIONS AS INDIA-US TRADE TALKS STRETCH

As India-US trade talks stretch into a new week with both sides chasing the July 9 deadline, government has hardened its stance on offering concessions in the farm sector. “The Indian team may stay longer as crucial talks are continuing, but we don’t just want to open up whatever is the demand (from the US) on agriculture as lives of millions of farmers are involved,” said a government source.

Last week, India’s chief negotiator Rajesh Agarwal and other officials had gone to the US on a two-day visit, but the talks have stretched as the US is also keen to conclude some deals before the pause on reciprocal tariffs – 26% in India’s case -- ends in. In fact, on Thursday, US president Donald Trump had announced that a “very big deal” with India is likely – the seventh time that he had announced an agreement.

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