NEW DELHI: As a U.S. delegation arrives in New Delhi to negotiate a proposed bilateral trade agreement, the Indian government is closely monitoring legal developments surrounding former President Donald Trump’s tariff policies and the concessions being extended by the U.S. to other countries. These factors are central to ongoing talks aimed at securing better market access for both nations. The Trump administration had imposed baseline tariffs of 10% and suspended reciprocal tariffs—26% in India’s case—as leverage in trade negotiations. A recent legal setback to these tariffs, though stayed shortly after, has added a layer of uncertainty. Indian officials are keen to ensure the country secures a deal on par with or better than those offered to other nations. “What matters is what India gets relative to others. That’s what will shape the final agreement,” a government official said. While pushing for favorable trade terms, India is also mindful of its strategic partnership with the U.S. and is exploring increased imports of shale gas, LNG, and crude oil from America. These energy imports, which are priced more competitively in the U.S., are expected to help diversify India’s energy sources and narrow the trade surplus of over $40 billion—a key issue for Trump, who often cited the imbalance to justify his tariffs. India’s future response to past U.S. tariff hikes, such as those on steel and aluminum, will likely depend on the outcome of current trade negotiations. “Exports are growing, and there are many things we can import from the U.S. Energy products like shale gas and LNG are good examples. Greater diversification benefits us, especially with lower U.S. prices,” the official added.