(MENAFN) India and the United States resumed high-stakes trade discussions on Tuesday, seeking to ease rising friction sparked by Washington’s imposition of steep tariffs—now at 50%—on Indian goods. The punitive measures, initiated under former President Donald Trump, are partly tied to India’s continued purchase of Russian oil amid the ongoing Ukraine war.

TV footage captured U.S. Assistant Trade Representative Brendan Lynch arriving at India’s Commerce and Industry Ministry in New Delhi for face-to-face negotiations with his Indian counterpart, Rajesh Agarwal.

Lynch flew into the capital late Monday to advance talks on a possible bilateral trade agreement. This marks the first physical meeting between trade officials from the two nations since the Trump administration introduced the tariff hike in August.

Initial U.S. tariffs of 25% on Indian imports were later doubled in response to India’s oil trade with Russia, intensifying already strained ties.

Ahead of the latest round of negotiations, White House trade adviser Peter Navarro delivered a blunt assessment, telling media on Monday: “Indian refiners were in bed with Russian refiners immediately after the invasion. They make money off us via unfair trade and many workers get screwed. They use that money to buy Russian oil, and Russians use that to buy weapons.”

He also remarked: “India was the ‘maharaja of tariffs’ but was now ‘coming to the table.’”

Last week, Trump acknowledged ongoing talks between Washington and New Delhi to reduce trade hurdles.

In response, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi echoed optimism, saying: “India and the US are ‘close friends and natural partners.’ I am ‘confident that our trade negotiations will pave the way for unlocking the limitless potential of the India-US partnership.’”

India has previously slammed the U.S. duties as “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable.”

According to the U.S. administration, total trade in goods and services between the two countries reached an estimated $212.3 billion in 2024.

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