US Team in Delhi for Trade Talks as Navarro Says ‘India Coming to the Table’

White House trade advisor Peter Navarro said India is “coming to the table” as a U.S. delegation, led by chief negotiator Brendan Lynch, arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday for key talks on a bilateral trade agreement.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent out a very conciliatory, constructive tweet, and President Trump responded to that. We will see how this works,” Navarro told CNBC on Sunday.

The discussions signal a tentative thaw after weeks of strain, following President Donald Trump’s decision to raise tariffs on Indian goods to 50% in retaliation for New Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian oil. Senior Indian commerce ministry officials confirmed that the talks could revive momentum toward a free trade agreement derailed by Washington’s earlier 25% punitive duties.

Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for South and Central Asia Brendan Lynch is leading the American side, while Rajesh Agrawal, India’s special secretary in the commerce department, is heading negotiations from New Delhi.

Navarro said talks remain focused on “trade barriers,” pointing to India’s high tariff and non-tariff measures. He also criticized India’s purchases of Russian oil since the start of the Ukraine war in 2022, accusing Indian refiners of “making out like bandits” by reselling fuel at a profit.

Despite the friction, both leaders recently reaffirmed their commitment to dialogue. Trump wrote on Truth Social last week that he was “certain there will be no difficulty in coming to a successful conclusion for both of our Great Countries.” Modi responded by describing India and the U.S. as “close friends and natural partners,” and said teams were working to wrap up discussions “at the earliest.”