India Holds Off On US Trade Deal Signing As Washington Resets Global Tariff Architecture

The India-US trade deal may be ready on paper, but New Delhi is waiting for the right moment to sign. Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal has said India will wait until the United States completes its new global tariff architecture. Washington is currently reshaping its tariff policy after legal challenges to earlier trade measures. A proposed uniform import tariff could redefine global trade rules. India believes signing the agreement before this framework is finalised may create complications later. Meanwhile, global trade conditions are also shifting due to tensions in the Middle East that are disrupting key shipping routes such as the Strait of Hormuz. India’s February trade data shows imports rising sharply even as exports dipped slightly. Still, the country’s trade deficit narrowed more than expected. With energy imports climbing and freight costs increasing, economists warn that March numbers could look different. For now, India’s message is clear: the deal stands, but the timing will depend on clarity.