India remains engaged with the U.S. on Section 301 proceedings and for finalisation of a framework agreement

• Section 301 of the U.S. Trade Act, 1974 empowers the USTR to investigate and impose retaliatory tariffs against trading partners whose practices are deemed "unjustifiable" or "discriminatory" against U.S. commerce.
• India is one of 60 economies facing proposed additional tariffs under a fresh Section 301 action; in parallel, India and the U.S. are finalising a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) framework launched by PM Modi and President Trump on 13 February 2025.
• Strategically links GS-II (India–U.S. relations) with GS-III (external sector, trade, MSMEs).