Mubasher: An Indian government official stated that the country wants to move quickly on a trade deal with the US following President Donald Trump's decision to pause reciprocal tariffs on dozens of countries, while hiking levies on China, according to Reuters.

"India is one of the first nations to start talks over a deal with the United States and to have jointly agreed to a deadline to conclude it," the news agency cited the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.

The US agreed with India in February 2025 to work on the first phase of a trade deal to be concluded late this year, with a view to reaching two-way trade worth $500 billion by 2030.

The Indian trade minister recently said at an event in New Delhi that manufacturers in India and the US have suffered from China's unfair trade practices over the years.

Ajay Sahai, Director General at the Federation of India Export Organisations, representing over 37,000 exporters, said the 90-day pause gives Indian negotiators time to work on concluding a bilateral trade deal with the US.

Sahai stated, according to Reuters, that "The US appears determined to hit China hard, and if it wants to ensure a non-disruptive supply of goods to its consumers while keeping inflation in check, India remains one of the most reliable suppliers.”