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U.S.–India Trade Relations

The U.S.-India Trade Policy Forum (TPF) is an interagency collaboration led by the U.S. Trade Representative. It is the principal trade dialogue between the United States and India. It has five Focus Groups: Agriculture, Investment, Innovation & Creativity (intellectual property rights), Services, and Tariff & Non-Tariff Barriers. U.S. and Indian Focus Group chairs meet periodically to work towards resolution of issues that impede trade and investment flows. Five ministerial-level meetings were held between 2005 and 2008, and success was achieved to usher in U.S. apple and almond exports to India and Indian mango exports to the United States; and an increase in the cap on FDI in the Indian telecommunications sector.

The United States and India announced the establishment of a new standing bilateral committee on July 18, 2005, to replace the U.S.–India Working Group on Trade, which was established in 2000. The TPF is co-chaired by the U.S. Trade Representative and India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, or their Deputies.

U.S. exports of agricultural products to India totaled $489 million in 2008. Leading categories include: tree nuts ($187 million), cotton ($103 million), and pulses ($63 million). U.S. imports of agricultural products from India totaled $1.6 billion in 2008, the 16th largest supplier of ag imports. Leading categories include: tree nuts ($243 million), spices ($179 million), and essential oils ($146 million).

See the Fact Sheet for more information about the TPF and its Focus Group on Agriculture.

U.S. Department of Agriculture

United States and India Meet During Trade Policy Forum (10/26/09)
- Remarks of United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk at the Trade Policy Forum Press Conference (10/26/09)
The Environment for Agricultural and Agribusiness Investment in India (Economic Research Service; 07/09/08)
United States Requests WTO Panel in Challenge of India’s Duties on Wine and Spirits and Other Imports from the United States (U.S. Trade Representative; 05/25/07)
Indian Wheat and Rice Sector Policies and the Implications for Policy Reform (Economic Research Service; 05/03/07)
First Shipments of Indian Mangoes Arrive in United States (05/01/07)
U.S.–India Trade Policy Forum, Focus Group on Agriculture:
U.S.–India Agricultural Knowledge Initiative

U.S. Trade Representative

World Trade Organization (WTO) Appellate Body has found in favor of the United States in its challenge against India’s additional and extra-additional duties on wine, spirits and other agricultural and manufactured products (10/31/08; .pdf)
Fact Sheet: U.S.–India Trade Policy Forum (06/22/06)
United States and India Discuss Key Trade Issues (06/22/06)
India, U.S. Agreed to an Action Plan To Increase Bilateral Economic Engagement (05/30/06)
Joint Press Statement Regarding Agreement to Permit Mangoes Imports to the U.S (03/02/06)
Fact Sheet: U.S. and India Issue Joint Statement on Trade (03/02/06)
Joint Statement by USTR Portman and Minister Nath from the Trade Policy Forum (11/13/05)
U.S., India Establish Trade Policy Forum (07/18/05)
Fact Sheet: U.S. India Trade Policy Forum (07/18/05)
Speech: India and America: Seizing Economic Opportunity (08/09/01)

The White House

U.S.–India Joint Statement on Trade (03/02/06)
President, Prime Minister Singh Discuss Growing Strategic Partnership (03/02/06)

U.S. Department of State

Brazil, India Lost Opportunity to Advance Global Trade Talks (U.S. Department of State; 07/18/06)
India-U.S. Partnerships Should Bolster Global System, Rice Says (U.S. Department of State; 06/28/07)
Leading Role for India Seen in World Trade Talks Revival (11/24/06)
U.S.–Indian Private–Public Sector Partnership on Agriculture Continues to Grow (U.S. Embassy in New Delhi; 11/17/06)
State's Boucher Praises Growing U.S.–India Relationship (08/09/06)
U.S. Trade Official Urges India To Pursue Deeper Economic Reform (07/10/06)
U.S. Aims To Double Two-Way Trade with India over Three Years (03/02/06)
Press Release: U.S.–India Joint Statement on Trade (03/02/06)
The United States and India: A Growing Strategic Partnership (.pdf; 02/27/06)
Bush Says Trip Will Strengthen U.S.–India Strategic Partnership (02/25/06)
Bush To Promote Open Economies During Visit to India and Pakistan: President says good relations with United States can help both countries find peace (02/22/06)
State's Burns Travels to Russia, Austria, India (02/22/06)
United States, India Review Progress in Trade Discussions: U.S.–India Trade Policy Forum aims to double trade over three years (02/16/06)
India, U.S. Hold Fourth Global Issues Forum in New Delhi (02/01/06)
U.S., India Establish Economic Focus Groups To Promote Trade (11/14/05)
U.S., India Explore Ways To Advance World Trade Negotiations (11/11/05)
United States, India Enjoy Strong Partnership, PM Singh Says: Ties are based on economic cooperation, energy, combating terrorism (07/21/05)
U.S., India Set Up Government, Business Forums To Promote Trade (07/18/05)
Reaching New Heights: U.S.–India Relations in the 21st Century (.pdf; 2005)
U.S. Wants to Hasten Strategic Partnership with India, Rice Says (03/18/05)

World Bank

India: Foreign Trade Policy