US Trade Envoy Rick Switzer Leads Delegation to India for BTA Talks

• A high-level US delegation, led by Deputy US Trade Representative Ambassador Rick Switzer, will visit India from December 9-11, 2025, for bilateral trade talks.
• The negotiations, led by India's Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal, aim to advance the Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA), with India optimistic about finalizing the first tranche this year.
• The BTA seeks to more than double bilateral trade from USD 191 billion to USD 500 billion by 2030.
• Talks faced delays due to new US trade policies, including tariffs imposed on Indian goods, partly linked to India's purchase of Russian oil.
• External Affairs Minister Jaishankar reiterated India's policy of "strategic autonomy" and "freedom of choice" in its international engagements.

Why It Matters: Future US-India trade relations and economic growth are at stake.