ThePrint WorldView Pod: India-US trade deal: What does the joint statement say? Hear from India’s former WTO & GATT lead
Feb 8, 2026
Ambassador Mohan Kumar, former Indian WTO and GATT lead negotiator and ex-ambassador to France turned academic, breaks down the India-US trade joint statement. He unpacks the three-stage roadmap and tariff goals. He discusses agriculture carve-outs, the $500 billion purchase intent, Russian oil’s role, and needed domestic reforms. The conversation cuts through political spin to explain the trade mechanics.
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Joint Statement Is Largely Intentional
- The joint statement is an expression of intent and marks the first stage toward an eventual bilateral trade agreement.
- The key tangible win for India is the tariff reduction that eases huge burdens on exporters and jobs.
Tariff Cut Restores Export Competitiveness
- The 50% effective tariff had become unsustainable and cost India millions of jobs in export hubs.
- Reducing reciprocal and punitive tariffs restores competitiveness for sectors like gems, textiles and shrimp.
US Deal Is Not A Free Trade Agreement
- This US agreement is not an FTA; India recently signed an actual FTA with the EU.
- A bilateral US deal will be a different legal and political animal because US FTAs require Congressional processes.