India-US Trade Talks Ongoing, No Deal Yet, Blue Star MD States

Veer S. Adwani, Managing Director of Blue Star Limited and President of CII’s Western Region, told IANS that discussions on a bilateral free‑trade agreement between India and the United States are progressing, but no formal accord has been signed to date. He cautioned that until the final text is agreed upon, it is too early to gauge the agreement’s impact on Indian exporters.

Adwani highlighted that while the India‑US dialogue remains active, the broader geopolitical environment—particularly the tensions in Iran and West Asia—poses additional challenges. He warned that a potential 100 percent tariff on certain categories could arise, affecting Indian trade flows.

The Blue Star chief also reiterated the importance of existing FTAs with New Zealand, Australia, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates, which have already opened significant market opportunities for Indian businesses.

Speaking at the seventh CII Global Trade Scenario conference in Mumbai, Adwani emphasized the event’s role in providing a platform for industry, government and export communities to exchange insights on evolving trade dynamics. He noted that Maharashtra and Gujarat, both part of the western region, are pivotal to India’s export performance.

On logistics, Adwani stressed the need for expanding port capacity beyond the current capabilities of the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA). He welcomed the development of the Vadavan Port, a project that has been under consideration for decades, as a strategic move to meet the growing demands of the manufacturing sector.