India is accelerating efforts to finalize a trade agreement with the United States following Washington’s decision to temporarily suspend certain restrictive trade measures. This window has created a favorable opportunity for New Delhi, which aims to conclude the first phase of the deal by the end of 2025. Officials say the deal would support India’s goal of reaching $500 billion in bilateral trade by 2030.

A senior Indian government official emphasized that India was among the first countries to initiate discussions with the U.S. and has already agreed on a deadline. Talks are being led by India's commerce ministry, which is also reviewing import practices to prevent unfair competition—particularly from China.

Trade Minister Piyush Goyal recently criticized China’s commercial practices, citing longstanding disadvantages for Indian and U.S. manufacturers. The Indian government is expected to intensify scrutiny of imports to detect dumping, aiming to protect domestic industries.

Indian shrimp exporters and sectors such as electronics and jewelry, previously facing competitive pressure under U.S. trade rules, may benefit from the temporary reprieve. Trade advocates see this as a strategic opportunity to solidify India’s position as a reliable supply chain partner for the U.S., especially as tensions between Washington and Beijing deepen.