Deal with it! When Trump said no, India said yes

India aced trade deals in 2025. The nation resisted US tariff pressure, refusing coercive timelines. Instead, India secured agreements with New Zealand, Oman, and the United Kingdom. This demonstrated a confident strategy of prioritizing national interest and long-term goals. India diversified partnerships, enhancing strategic autonomy in a fragmented global trade landscape.

India has announced reforms to simplify import quality checks, reducing paperwork and inspection times. This move addresses U.S. concerns about burdensome requirements and aims to accelerate trade processes. The reforms are part of ongoing trade discussions between India and Washington.

The India-US relationship, once envisioned as a natural alliance, has become unpredictable, oscillating between warmth and confrontation. Despite public bonhomie and early trade discussions, sharp trade actions and mixed geopolitical signals have strained ties, driven by domestic US politics and strategic interests.

India and New Zealand have signed a free trade agreement. This pact will boost financial services cooperation. It includes new rules for digital payments, fintech, data transfer, and back-office services. The agreement aims to make India a global fintech hub. It will also encourage more investment and business presence between the two nations.

India is in active trade talks with the United States. The goal is to regain better market access for Indian exporters. Discussions aim to conclude soon. This development comes as the US imposed tariffs on Indian goods. India’s ambitious export target for 2030 faces global trade uncertainties. However, efforts continue to achieve significant export growth.

India is actively signing trade pacts with countries like New Zealand, Oman, and the UK. These agreements aim to boost exports and deepen economic ties. While India has a trade surplus with some partners like Mauritius and SAFTA, it faces deficits with others such as Asean, South Korea, Japan, and the UAE.

India may soon waive customs duty on medicines produced in special economic zones for local sale. This move aims to reduce costs and increase the availability of essential drugs and vaccines within the country. The proposal could be part of the upcoming Union budget.

Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said that despite challenges in the US, Indian exporters have maintained their exports in that market. The secretary was addressing exporters in a programme organised by the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO).

Besides zero-duty access for India’s labour-intensive sectors including textiles, apparel, leather, footwear, marine products, handicrafts, engineering goods and automobiles, New Zealand has pledged to invest $20 billion in the country over a period of 15 years. India has offered tariff liberalisation in 70% tariff lines covering 95% of bilateral trade.

India and New Zealand have concluded a free trade agreement, granting 100% zero-duty access for Indian exports to New Zealand. This pact is set to benefit Indian farmers, MSMEs, artisans, youth, and women-led enterprises, fostering significant trade growth and investment opportunities.