Audio By Carbonatix
US President Donald Trump announced that he agreed to a trade deal with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where the US will lower tariffs on goods from India to 18% from 25%.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said India will reduce trade barriers to zero and will also stop buying Russian oil. An additional 25% tariff penalty imposed for Delhi's refusal to stop buying oil from Russia will be dropped.
The announcement comes less than a week after India and the European Union announced a landmark trade deal that capped nearly two decades of on-off talks.
Modi said on X that he is "delighted" that an agreement with the US has been reached.
In the post, Trump said that a morning phone call with Modi included discussions of trade and the Russia-Ukraine war.
"He agreed to stop buying Russian oil, and to buy much more oil from the United States and, potentially, Venezuela," Trump wrote.
Trump added that, at Modi's request, he immediately "agreed to a trade deal" that would see tariffs lowered and India's tariffs and non-tariff barriers reduced to zero.
Additionally, Trump said Modi committed to buying more than $500bn (£366bn) worth of American goods including energy, technology, agriculture and coal products.
The trade relationship between the US and India has been strained since the US imposed 50% tariffs on goods from India - the highest for a country in Asia - in August, including a 25% penalty linked to India's purchase of Russian oil.
A White House official confirmed to the BBC that the Russian oil-linked tariffs will be dropped as part of the agreement and other tariffs lowered to put the rate at 18%.
"Big thanks to President Trump on behalf of the 1.4 billion people of India for this wonderful announcement," Modi said on X.
"When two large economies and the world's largest democracies work together, it benefits our people and unlocks immense opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation," he added.
Indian exports to the US plummeted sharply as Trump's tariffs took effect.
Officials in Delhi have been seeking partnerships with other countries also grappling with Trump's tariffs.
Last week, India and the European Union announced a free trade agreement that is set to lower taxes on nearly all goods between India and the bloc of 27 European states, as both sides seek to deepen ties in the face of increasing tensions with the US.
The agreement, which European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called "the mother of all deals", is poised to double EU exports to India by 2032, according to the EU.
Terry Haines, founder of Pangaea Policy, an analysis and forecasting firm, called the Washington-Delhi deal "an answer to those thinking the EU is flanking or gaining speed on the US on trade."
He said he expected US markets to "cheer" the agreement.
US stocks inched higher after Trump announced the trade deal with Delhi on Truth Social.
Latest Stories
-
Jeffrey Nortey touches down in Amsterdam ahead of Ghana Party in the Park performance
3 minutes -
Tiger Woods to change plea after crash arrest
3 minutes -
Wa West Assembly meets to drive development; chiefs demand cabinet representation and infrastructure
6 minutes -
Criminals publish data of 8.7m people after airports hack
6 minutes -
Ghana Water insists its treated water is safe despite heavy metal concerns over galamsey
7 minutes -
High Court dismisses application to strike out charges in Mustapha Abdul-Hamid case
17 minutes -
Ghana Horticulture Expo 2026 opens Thursday to drive investment in agriculture
27 minutes -
Fisheries Minister warns LBCs against overpricing, hoarding of premix fuel
33 minutes -
Military to prevent illegal dumping and squatting at cleared Jamestown site
35 minutes -
Walewale MP launches GH¢1m fund to support women, small businesses
38 minutes -
US Navy carrier Abraham Lincoln arrives in Thailand after 286 days at sea
42 minutes -
‘Protect us or we’ll protect ourselves’ – A-Plus warns government over deadly Gomoa clashes
50 minutes -
Police arrest 68 suspects, seize 835 devices in Interpol cybercrime operation
52 minutes -
Okuapeman and Mount Sinai SHSs closed after violent clash, fire destroys school facilities
53 minutes -
Central Regional Minister visits injured victims after New Winneba attack
54 minutes