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www.newsindiatimes.com – that’s all you need to know News India Times (April 25, 2026 - May 1, 2026) May 1, 2026 6 US - India India Says Trade Talks With U.S. Remain Constructive After Washington Visit I ndia and the United States are engaged in construc- tive talks aimed at reaching a balanced and mutu- ally beneficial trade agreement, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Thursday. The comments came after a three-day visit toWash- ington by an Indian trade delegation led by senior com- merce ministry official Darpan Jain for talks with U.S. counterparts. “These engagements are ongoing and constructive,” spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told reporters at a weekly media briefing. “Both sides are working towards a balanced, mutually beneficial and forward-looking trade agreement, taking into account each other’s concerns and priorities, and to achieve a trade target of $500 billion by 2030,” he said. That target would be more than double bilateral goods and services trade of about $212 billion in 2024. The talks reflect a broader effort by New Delhi and Washington to clinch a trade pact, even as uncertainty over U.S. tariff policy has complicated negotiations. Earlier this week, Trade Minister Piyush Goyal said the two sides had nearly finalised the first tranche of a bilateral trade agreement and were working through the remaining details, including a mechanism to secure preferential market access for India in the U.S. market relative to its competitors. No concrete outcome emerged from the latest round of talks but both sides will continue to engage, a govern- ment official said on the condition of anonymity, adding that the Indian delegation was expected to return to New Delhi by early Friday. Efforts to frame an interim trade pact, including a proposal to lower U.S. tariffs on Indian goods to about 18%, have been clouded by uncertainty following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling although negotiations are continu- ing. Trade analysts and the opposition parties have questioned the government’s plans to sign a deal with Washington after President Donald Trump announced a temporary 10% duty on imports from all countries, including India. New Delhi is hoping to align any trade deal withWash- ington’s planned changes in June to the so-called Section 301 tariffs, which could reshape duties on key sectors and influence market access. -Reuters By Manoj Kumar A person drives a truck inside a shipping container yard in Navi Mumbai, India, February 4, 2026. PHOTO:REUTERS/FRANCIS MASCARENHAS/FILE PHOTO T he Embassy of India hosted a Spe- cial Exhibition on the Human Cost of Terrorism at the Cannon Caucus Room, Cannon House Office Build- ing, on April 22, 2026. The exhibition marked the first an- niversary of the brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, in India, which claimed the lives of 26 innocent civilians “in a tragedy whose impact con- tinues to be felt,” a press release from the Embassy said. Interactive displays, videos, and personal testimonials at the exhibition highlighted the “profound and far-reach- ing impact” of terrorism on individuals, families, and communities worldwide. “It served as a tribute to the victims and their loved ones, and as a call to action for the global community to renew our collective resolve to eliminate terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” the Embassy said. This exhibition was among the largest events hosted by the Embassy on Capitol Hill. It was attended by 19 Members of the US Congress from across the political spectrum and more than 60 Congres- sional offices. Attendees represented key committees including the House Foreign Affairs, Intelligence, Armed Services, Judi- ciary, and Homeland Security. Senior officials from the U.S. Adminis- tration, members of the Indian diaspora, students, media representatives, and think tanks were also present. In his remarks, Ambassador Kwatra reaffirmed India’s steadfast commitment to combating terrorism and reiterated the message of Prime Minister Narendra Modi: “India will never bow to any form of terror.” Members of Congress expressed strong solidarity and emphasized their com- mitment to strengthening the India–U.S. partnership in counterterrorism efforts, the press release said. By a StaffWriter Indian Embassy Hosts ‘Human Cost Of Terrorism’ Exhibition On Capitol Hill PHOTOS:COURTESY INDIAN EMBASSY Guests attending the exhibition on terrorism hosted by the Indian Embassy in Washington, D.C. Ambassador Vinay Mohan Kwatra addressing the gathering at the exhibition on terrorism in Washington, D.C. April 22, 2026. Seen at left, Congressmen Ro Khann of California and Shri Thanedar of Michigan.