<h1>India US conclude fifth trade talks targeting interim deal before August tariff resumption</h1> India and the US concluded their fifth round of bilateral trade agreement negotiations in Washington on July 17, following four days of talks. Both countries aim to finalize an interim trade deal before August 1, when suspended tariffs of 26 percent on dozens of countries including India are set to resume. The negotiations covered agriculture, automobiles, non-market economies, and special chemicals and technologies. India maintains a firm position against duty concessions on agricultural and dairy products, while seeking removal of additional tariffs and concessions for labor-intensive sectors like textiles and gems. The US seeks duty reductions on industrial goods, electric vehicles, wines, and agricultural products including genetically modified crops. Both nations target completing the first tranche of the comprehensive bilateral trade agreement by fall 2025, with merchandise trade showing significant growth in the current fiscal year.