- By Shubham Bajpai
- Thu, 26 Feb 2026 07:59 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
United States Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Thursday visited New Delhi and met Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal. He was accompanied by the US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor.
What caught attention was that no formal announcement was made by either side about Lutnick's arrival, and the nation knew only after Goyal shared about the meeting on X. "Hosted US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick & US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor. Engaged in very fruitful discussions to expand our trade and economic partnership," he said.
Lutnick's 'India will say sorry' prophecy
The quiet meeting carries significance as in September 2025, when the relations between the two countries were hit by Trump's 50 per cent tariffs, Lutnick had predicted that India would "say sorry and make an agreement in two months."
Cut to February 26, he is himself in India as the United States Supreme Court struck down Trump's emergency tariffs, mounting pressure on the Trump administration and giving India more time and space for further negotiations.
Earlier this month, both countries agreed on an initial trade agreement framework to reduce US tariffs from 50 per cent to 18 per cent. India, as part of the framework, was to purchase $500 billion worth of American goods over five years.
Tides turned?
Similar frameworks and agreements were signed by several other countries, too, but after the SC ruling invalidated the tariffs, they are reassessing their positions, like India.
Reacting to the US SC verdict, Goyal had said that trade talks would resume only after greater clarity on the verdict and its implications.
India has also postponed a planned visit of a delegation to Washington. The delegation was intended to finalise the interim trade deal.
Although India has indicated it wouldn't withdraw from the deal, it would wait and watch. India has already secured key sectors from the entry of US products, especially in agriculture and dairy. The more negotiations could include safeguards against future unilateral tariff actions.