India postpones trade delegation to Washington after US Supreme Court rejects Trump tariffs, creating uncertainty over a planned interim trade deal.

NEW DELHI: India has postponed a trade delegation’s visit to Washington this week. A source in the trade ministry cited uncertainty following the US Supreme Court’s rejection of tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump as the primary reason.

“The decision to defer the visit was taken after discussions between officials of the two countries,” said the source, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter. No new date for the talks has been set.

The delegation was scheduled to leave to finalise an interim trade agreement. This followed a framework where the US would cut punitive 25% tariffs on some Indian exports linked to New Delhi’s Russian oil purchases.

Under the proposed deal, US tariffs on those Indian goods would be reduced to 18%. In return, India agreed to purchase US items worth USD 500 billion over five years.

The purchases would range from energy supplies and aircraft to precious metals and technology products. India’s opposition Congress party had called for the interim pact to be put on hold.

The party urged a renegotiation and questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to issue a joint statement before the court’s ruling. On Saturday, the Indian trade ministry said it was studying the implications of the judgment and subsequent US announcements.

Last week, Trade Minister Piyush Goyal said the interim pact could take effect in April. This was pending the resolution of outstanding issues during the delegation’s now-delayed Washington visit.

 The Sun Malaysia