Suspension of talks and cancellation of U.S. delegation’s visit to India

Amid escalating disputes between Washington and New Delhi, NDTV, citing informed sources, reported that trade talks between the two sides have been postponed. According to the Indian outlet, the planned visit of the U.S. trade negotiation team to New Delhi—originally set for August 25 to 29—has been canceled.

The report noted that the current round of negotiations for a proposed bilateral trade agreement is now likely to be postponed to a later date, dashing hopes of reducing U.S. additional tariffs on Indian goods before the August 27 deadline.

Donald Trump, claiming that India continues to import Russian oil, imposed an additional 25 percent tariff on Indian goods, sharply intensifying tensions between the two countries. The new U.S. tariffs, set to take effect on August 27, will increase duties on some Indian exports by up to 50 percent—among the highest rates imposed on any U.S. trade partner.

In recent months, Washington has not only waged tariff wars against others but also adopted a harsher stance toward BRICS member states. Trump has further threatened BRICS with an additional 10 percent tariff on imports from these countries, accusing them of “aligning with anti-American policies” and opposing the U.S. dollar.

The BRICS grouping includes the five founding members—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—along with Iran, Egypt, the UAE, Indonesia, and Ethiopia. Several other countries across different continents have also sought to join the bloc.

In response to Washington’s pressure, New Delhi has moved to strengthen ties with Beijing, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is reportedly planning to attend next month’s Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in China.