Washington, February 19. A former US Commerce Department official has hailed the newly announced India-US trade framework as a major positive step forward. Atman Trivedi, partner at DGA-Albright Stonebridge Group and ex-senior director for policy in global markets at the Commerce Department, sees this interim agreement unlocking massive export opportunities for both nations, deepening supply chain ties, and accelerating their strategic partnership.
Trivedi played a key role in shaping the US-India Strategic and Commercial Dialogue. Speaking exclusively, he emphasized how the deal opens fresh avenues for businesses on both sides. ‘This is a positive development,’ he stated. ‘The trade agreement should deliver substantial export gains for both countries, particularly benefiting small and medium enterprises in our respective markets.’
The framework specifically targets key sectors. It liberalizes access for all industrial goods from the US into India and select Indian sectors into the US. For India, this aligns perfectly with Prime Minister Modi’s manufacturing ambitions, fostering an ecosystem where American exports can thrive while bolstering ‘Make in India’.
‘We’ll see more Indian products flooding the US market, already India’s largest export destination,’ Trivedi predicted. ‘This will supercharge Make in India on the global stage.’ For America, the agreement slashes longstanding tariff barriers in India, the world’s most populous market. Average tariff rates in India have historically been high, but these reductions make it easier for US firms across industries to sell there.
From India’s perspective, Trivedi called it a ‘huge opportunity’. Sectors like textiles, gems and jewelry, and leather gain better US market access. India has smartly negotiated zero tariffs on industrial goods in some areas, while convincing the US to drop tariffs from 50% to 18% on key items. Compared to competitors like Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, which face higher US tariffs, India now holds a competitive edge.
Opening its market further integrates India deeper into global supply chains, reducing reliance on adversarial nations. The deal includes ambitious procurement targets, with India committing to $500 billion in goods and services purchases over five years, focusing on defense and energy. ‘India will buy more energy and defense products,’ Trivedi noted, citing shared Indo-Pacific strategies.
He highlighted civilian aircraft like Boeing planes and industrial segments as beneficiaries. However, Trivedi cautioned that the $500 billion target is ambitious—India imported over $87 billion from the US in 2024 alone, so scaling up requires intense effort. Beyond tariffs, non-tariff barriers in India, such as licensing, conformity assessments, standards, and localization mandates, remain concerns for US firms.
On H-1B visas, a politically sensitive issue, Trivedi acknowledged skilled immigration as a sticking point in broader ties, though unclear if it will feature in trade talks. This framework sets the stage for enduring economic synergy between the two giants.