India has postponed plans to send a trade delegation to Washington this week due to uncertainty following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down tariffs imposed by former President Donald Trump, a source in New Delhi’s trade ministry said on Sunday.
The decision represents one of the first clear responses from an Asian nation to the court’s judgment. On Saturday, Trump announced a temporary tariff of 15 percent on U.S. imports from all countries, the maximum allowed under law, shortly after the Supreme Court invalidated his earlier tariff measures.
“The decision to defer the visit was taken after discussions between officials of the two countries,” the source said, requesting anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue. “No new date for the visit has been decided.”
Officials said the delay stemmed mainly from uncertainty over the future of U.S. tariffs following the court ruling. The Indian delegation had been scheduled to depart on Sunday to finalise an interim trade agreement. The deal was intended to reduce punitive U.S. tariffs of 25 percent on certain Indian exports, which were tied to India’s purchases of Russian oil. Under the framework agreed by both sides, tariffs on Indian goods would fall to 18 percent.
In exchange, India had agreed to increase imports of U.S. products worth $500 billion over five years. These purchases were expected to cover energy supplies, aircraft and aircraft parts, precious metals, and technology products.
The development has sparked debate within India. The opposition Indian National Congress called for the interim pact to be paused and renegotiated, raising concerns over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to issue a joint statement on the framework before the Supreme Court delivered its ruling.
On Saturday, the Indian trade ministry said it was studying the implications of the court’s decision and subsequent announcements from Washington. Trade Minister Piyush Goyal had previously indicated that the interim agreement could take effect in April, once unresolved issues were addressed during the delegation’s visit.
For now, discussions remain on hold as both countries monitor the evolving U.S. legal and policy environment. Analysts say the delay highlights the fragility of international trade negotiations when major economies face sudden legal or regulatory shifts.
Cash withdrawals from ATMs and through cashback facilities is declining, with the change reflecting broader shifts in financial behaviour that could also affect trade and investment dynamics between nations.
India’s trade ministry has not confirmed a rescheduled date for the Washington visit, leaving the timing of critical negotiations uncertain as both governments assess next steps.
