NEW DELHI (Feb 20, 2026) — Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal announced on Friday that the long-anticipated interim trade agreement between India and the United States is expected to be operational by April 2026.
Trade Timeline & Global Pacts
The Minister outlined a busy legislative calendar for India’s international trade relations:
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India-US Deal: The agreement is slated for signing in March, with official implementation in April. Legal teams from both nations will meet in the US on February 23 to finalize the formal text.
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UK and Oman FTAs: In a major push for Indian exports, Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with both the United Kingdom and Oman are also targeted for an April rollout.
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New Zealand Pact: A trade agreement with New Zealand is expected to follow later in the year, with a projected start date in September.
Strategic Significance
This interim deal serves as a precursor to a more comprehensive trade partnership between New Delhi and Washington. It follows a joint statement released earlier this month confirming that the foundational framework is complete.
The deal is expected to focus on high-priority sectors, easing market access and reducing tariffs on specific goods, which will bolster the “India-America Connect” initiatives recently highlighted by tech leaders like Sundar Pichai.
