But experts say India's refusal to reduce duties on agriculture and dairy products has been a major thorn in the negotiations. Trump's new 50% tariff rate on India is set to come into effect on 27 August, which some experts have said is akin to an embargo on trade between the two countries.

The US has warned India that it could face increased secondary tariffs if discussions between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday fail to yield positive results.

For years, India has balanced close partnerships with both Washington and Moscow, even throughout Ukraine war. Trump is finally demanding it picks a side