India, US Trade Talks Reach Plateau, Sitharaman Says

India and the United States have reached a plateau in trade deal negotiations, Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on October 5, 2026, signaling that the two sides have hit a wall on a key agreement. Giving or taking more beyond that level would be "very, very difficult" for both countries, Sitharaman said at an event in New Delhi, adding that both sides would operate within available room if possible. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said last week that an agreement was not imminent after meeting Indian Trade Minister Piyush Goyal in the United States. The two countries have negotiated since February 2025 to deepen economic ties and resolve long-standing market access issues. Sitharaman said the trade balance favors India and the deficit belongs to Washington, which would want to reduce that imbalance.