<h1>India, US start three-day talks on first-phase trade deal to ease tariffs, target USD 500 billion trade</h1> India and the United States will hold three-day discussions in New Delhi from December 10-12 on the first phase of a proposed bilateral trade agreement. The talks, though informal, are significant as both sides pursue a framework deal this year to address heightened US tariffs, including a 25 per cent duty and additional 25 per cent penalty on Indian goods linked to purchases of Russian crude oil. Parallel negotiations are underway on a framework arrangement targeting reciprocal tariff issues and a broader comprehensive trade pact, with an objective of more than doubling bilateral trade to USD 500 billion by 2030 amid recent declines in Indian exports to the US.