Speaking to CNBC-TV18, Chaudhuri said the negotiations are largely in place, and the key task now is to rebuild the legal framework for tariffs after a recent US court ruling. “Hard to say exactly when, but probably sooner than expected,” he said, adding that June “is a realistic possibility”.
He noted that the challenge is not so much the free trade agreement itself, but aligning trade, defence and energy elements into a broader strategic package. The use of Section 301 provisions is likely to provide the legal basis for tariffs going forward, helping both sides move past the uncertainty created by the court decision.
Harsh Pant of the Observer Research Foundation echoed that view, suggesting that evolving geopolitical conditions could even accelerate progress. “This has already been factored into negotiations,” Pant said, referring to India’s continued reliance on Russian oil amid tensions in West Asia. He added that energy, defence and trade are increasingly being treated as part of a single strategic framework.
Pant also pointed out that while the US is currently preoccupied with the conflict involving Iran, bureaucratic engagement on the trade deal continues. If the situation stabilises, there could be a push at the political level to finalise the agreement, especially as US President Donald Trump may seek quick policy wins amid domestic pressures.
Earlier, former Indian Ambassador to the US, Arun Kumar Singh had underlined that there is no structural barrier preventing the US from committing to a deal, as India accounts for a relatively small share of overall US trade. However, he stressed that Indian negotiators are seeking clarity on tariff levels to avoid uncertainty for businesses.
Also Read | India, US discuss market access, non-Tariff Measures, Technical Barriers to Trade, Customs & Trade Facilitation
The comments come as trade talks between the two sides continue, with Indian negotiators concluding a three-day round of discussions in Washington. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer described India as a “tough nut to crack”, particularly due to protections for sensitive sectors such as agriculture, though he acknowledged that there is room for agreement on several fronts.
The ongoing negotiations are taking place against a complex backdrop of legal changes in the US tariff regime and shifting geopolitical dynamics, but analysts suggest that both sides remain committed to advancing the deal within a workable timeframe.
