Over 1500 Indians have been expelled from the United States since the beginning of 2022, according to the nation's Foreign Ministry.
The fifth round of negotiations on a bilateral trade agreement between India and the United States is currently underway, with both sides aiming to finalize a first tranche agreement by fall 2025. This trade deal, driven by strategic economic and geopolitical interests, has been progressing rapidly in 2025.
The ongoing talks, guided by the decisions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump, have made significant strides despite a history of trade barriers and tariff disputes. Recent negotiations have focused on mutual tariff reductions and cooperation on advanced technologies, with the Biden administration improving mutual tech and defense partnerships but making little headway in market access until these talks accelerated.
However, political sensitivity remains, particularly in India where agriculture accounts for 46% of employment. Contentious points in the negotiations include US demands for lower tariffs on steel and agriculture, Indian tariffs on certain US goods, dairy product definitions, genetically modified crops, and pharma manufacturing rules.
In FY25, India recorded a $41.2 billion trade surplus with the US, with nearly 18% of India’s merchandise exports destined for the US market. Key Indian export sectors to the US include electronics, gems and jewelry, pharmaceuticals, machinery, iron and steel, textiles, auto components, and apparel, reflecting deeply integrated economic ties.
The potential impacts of a US-India trade deal could be significant for Indian nationals in the US. Enhanced cooperation on technology and investments could spur more job opportunities for Indian professionals, particularly in sectors like advanced manufacturing, software, and R&D. However, the deal may also entail stricter regulatory or compliance requirements on Indian-origin companies operating in the US, potentially increasing scrutiny on immigration and work visa policies tied to economic sectors affected by the deal.
The political sensitivity around agriculture tariffs and manufacturing mandates might influence broader economic policy but are less likely to directly affect Indian nationals' immigration status or rights.
As the trade deal progresses, it is expected to deepen trade ties and secure economic security in a changing global order. For Indian nationals in the US, this could mean enhanced professional opportunities aligned with bilateral trade growth, though regulatory oversight might increase.
- The ongoing trade negotiations between India and the United States, which delve into policy-and-legislation such as tariffs and market access, are shape-shifted by the dynamics of politics, especially in regard to contentious agriculture tariffs and manufacturing mandates in India.
- The potential US-India trade agreement, with its focus on advanced technologies and mutual tariff reductions, is projected to impact a broader sector in the general-news, including job opportunities for Indian professionals in the US, while also potentially ushering in stricter regulations and increased scrutiny on Indian-origin companies operating there.
