A Parliamentary Standing Committee on Commerce has recommended a series of measures to strengthen India-US trade ties and protect Indian exporters from tariff-related risks, while urging the government to expedite negotiations on the proposed India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA).
The committee’s recommendations are aimed at securing more predictable market access for Indian businesses and reducing the impact of sudden changes in US trade policy. The panel has called for stronger safeguards in the proposed agreement for key Indian exports.
Among its recommendations, the committee has sought tariff exemptions for critical Indian products, including generic medicines, critical minerals and smartphones. It has also highlighted sectors such as auto components, chemicals, engineering goods, textiles, leather, marine products and gems and jewellery as important areas for securing better access to the US market.
The panel has also proposed targeted support for small exporters through export credit, insurance and technical assistance. Such measures could help smaller businesses manage higher compliance costs and trade uncertainties while maintaining their presence in the US market.
Another recommendation is the creation of a rapid-response unit within the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) to monitor changes in US trade regulations, tariffs and other policy measures. The mechanism would help Indian exporters respond more quickly to changes affecting their shipments.
The committee has further called for greater use of the India-US Trade Policy Forum to resolve market-access and regulatory issues. It has also recommended expanding India’s exports of high-value services, including artificial intelligence, cloud computing, cybersecurity and digital health.
The panel has urged deeper bilateral cooperation in advanced sectors such as clean energy, semiconductors, emerging technologies and defence production, while encouraging greater US investment in India.
The recommendations come as India and the US continue negotiations on their bilateral trade agreement. The committee has emphasised that the final pact should provide long-term stability for Indian exporters and protect key domestic industries from unexpected tariff increases.
The proposed measures are expected to support India’s broader objective of increasing its share in the US market, strengthening export competitiveness and creating a more predictable framework for bilateral trade.
