India Rejects Interim US Trade Deal, Seeks Comprehensive Pact

India has declined to sign an interim trade agreement with the United States, opting to hold out for a more comprehensive deal that better serves its long-term economic interests. The decision follows a failure to reach a breakthrough during U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer's visit to New Delhi last month, despite earlier expectations that a limited pact was imminent.

Negotiations stalled over India's core demands, which Washington has not yet met. Indian officials sought assurances that any deal would provide its exporters a tariff advantage over competitors, particularly China, and include safeguards against future U.S. tariff increases. India also refused to compromise on protections for its politically sensitive agriculture sector, a longstanding red line for successive governments concerned about farmer livelihoods. An Indian official stated the country's position is clear: it does not intend to rush into a deal on unfavorable terms or compromise on such fundamental issues.

The impasse comes as the Trump administration is preparing to introduce new tariffs, potentially later this month. Most Indian goods currently face a 10% U.S. tariff, but Washington is...