India has abruptly postponed a high-level trade delegation to Washington scheduled for this week, creating uncertainty around a landmark bilateral trade agreement. The decision comes directly in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent rejection of tariff measures previously imposed by former President Donald Trump.
According to an anonymous source within India’s trade ministry, the postponement was mutually agreed upon by officials from both nations due to the significant legal and economic uncertainty created by the court’s Friday ruling. No alternative date for rescheduled talks has been established.
The now-delayed negotiations were intended to finalize an interim trade pact that had been carefully developed over months. The framework agreement would have seen the United States reduce punitive tariffs on specific Indian exports from 25% to 18%, while India committed to purchasing American goods worth approximately $500 billion over a five-year period. These purchases were to include energy supplies, aircraft and components, precious metals, and advanced technology products.
The Supreme Court’s decision has triggered immediate international repercussions, with India’s response representing one of the first concrete reactions from Asian nations. In a subsequent move, President Trump announced on Saturday the imposition of a temporary 15% tariff on imports from all countries—the maximum permitted under existing legislation.
Domestically, India’s opposition Congress party has seized on the judicial development, demanding that the interim agreement be suspended and renegotiated. Party officials have questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to issue a joint statement with the U.S. prior to the court’s ruling.
Indian Trade Minister Piyush Goyal had previously indicated that the interim pact could take effect as early as April, pending resolution of outstanding issues during the Washington visit. The Indian trade ministry has confirmed it is conducting a comprehensive analysis of both the court judgment and subsequent U.S. policy announcements.