US delegation’s India visit called off as trade tensions simmer

International Desk :

A scheduled visit by U.S. trade representatives to New Delhi later this month has been called off, according to Indian news broadcaster NDTV Profit.

The visit that was expected to take place between Aug. 25 and Aug. 29 will likely be rescheduled, NDTV reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

The report comes at a time when trade relations between the two countries have soured with U.S. President Donald Trump imposing a 25 per cent blanket tariff on Indian exports, and topping those with additional 25 per cent in duties – expected to come into effect on Aug. 27 – as a “penalty” for India purchasing Russian crude.

Both sides are in contact with each other, but a new schedule for talks has not been finalized, the report said, reports CNBC.

Trump’s cumulative 50 per cent tariff rate on India is among the highest on any of the U.S.? trading partners, and has drawn a sharp response from New Delhi.

India has said it was being targeted unfairly, while calling out the EU and the U.S. on their continuing trade with Russia.

“It is revealing that the very nations criticizing India are themselves indulging in trade with Russia. Unlike our case, such trade is not even a vital national compulsion [for them],” the country’s foreign ministry said in a statement earlier this month.

India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and the Office of the U.S Trade Representative did not immediately respond to CNBC’s request for comments.

The U.S. is India’s single largest export partner, with nearly 20 per cent of its overall exports, or $86.51 billion worth of goods, shipped to the U.S. in fiscal year ended March 2025, according to the latest official data.