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From almonds to alcohol: what gets cheaper after India–US tariff cuts
INDIA: From almonds to alcohol, American imports are about to get easier on the Indian wallet. India and the United States have agreed on a framework for an interim trade deal that will slash tariffs on a swathe of US food and agricultural products, while offering Washington reciprocal access to Indian exports.
Under the proposed pact, India will eliminate or reduce duties on products ranging from animal feed and grains to fruit, oils and spirits. Items set to become cheaper include dried distillers’ grains, red sorghum, tree nuts, fresh and processed fruit, soybean oil, and wine and spirits: categories long flagged by US exporters as over-taxed.
Beyond tariffs, India has agreed to tackle non-tariff barriers affecting US shipments of medical devices, information and communication technology goods, and food and agricultural products, a persistent irritant in bilateral trade talks.
The US, in turn, will lower tariffs on Indian-origin goods from as high as 50 per cent to a reciprocal rate of 18 per cent. The cuts apply to sectors including textiles, apparel, leather, footwear, plastics, chemicals, home décor and selected machinery. The higher duties had been imposed after earlier negotiations stalled, amid USA’s criticism of India’s oil purchases from Russia.
If the interim deal is concluded, the tariff rollback could widen further. Indian officials see scope for expanded access for generic pharmaceuticals, gems and diamonds, and aircraft parts: sectors where India has long sought relief.
Trade concessions are being paired with big-ticket buying. India has signalled plans to purchase $500 billion worth of US energy products, aircraft, precious metals, technology goods and coking coal over the next five years, underscoring the commercial heft behind the diplomatic reset.
The agreement also lays groundwork for cooperation on supply-chain resilience and digital trade, alongside the creation of “rules of origin” designed to ensure benefits accrue primarily to India and the US, rather than third countries routing exports through them.
The framework marks a thaw after a bruising phase in ties. The US had imposed a 25 per cent punitive tariff on Indian goods, which President Donald Trump recently lifted via executive order. The interim pact now serves as a bridge towards a broader bilateral trade agreement first floated by prime minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump in February 2025.
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IndiGo names William Walsh CEO
Former IATA chief to take charge in August after Elbers exit, Bhatia steers interim
India’s biggest airline has moved fast and gone global. InterGlobe Aviation, which operates IndiGo, has tapped aviation heavyweight William Walsh as chief executive officer, subject to regulatory approvals, marking a sharp pivot as the carrier eyes its next burst of expansion.
Walsh, currently director general at the International Air Transport Association, will step down on July 31, 2026, and is expected to take charge by August 3. The appointment comes barely three weeks after Pieter Elbers exited the corner office, with Rahul Bhatia holding the fort in the interim.
The choice signals intent. Walsh brings decades of cockpit-to-boardroom experience, having led British Airways and later International Airlines Group, the parent of Aer Lingus, Iberia and Vueling. His tenure across carriers has been defined by hard resets, restructurings and cross-border consolidation—skills IndiGo may need as competition intensifies and scale becomes decisive.
Vikram Singh Mehta, chairman and non-executive independent director of IndiGo, said Walsh’s experience in managing large-scale airline operations and navigating complex market dynamics makes him well-suited to lead IndiGo in an increasingly competitive global aviation environment, adding that the appointment marks a new chapter as the airline scales in one of the world’s fastest-growing markets.
Rahul Bhatia said Walsh’s global perspective, operational expertise and customer-focused approach would be critical as IndiGo enters its next phase of expansion.
Walsh, widely regarded as one of the industry’s most influential figures, will oversee overall management and strategic direction, with a mandate spanning operational performance, network expansion, commercial strategy and customer experience. He is expected to work closely with the board and leadership team to sharpen IndiGo’s growth trajectory.
Walsh said IndiGo has a strong foundation and is well-positioned to capitalise on the evolving aviation landscape, adding that he looks forward to fostering a culture of excellence, innovation and sustainable value creation across the organisation.
A new captain, a bigger runway—and a market that rewards scale. IndiGo is lining up for its next take-off.
