Desi Talk

www.desitalk.com – that’s all you need to know India Delays U.S. Trade Talks After Supreme Court Rejects Trump Tariffs, Source Says I ndia has delayed plans to send a trade delegation toWashing- ton this week, chiefly because of uncertainty after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, a source in its trade ministry said on Sunday. One of the first concrete reac- tions among Asian nations to the decision, it follows Trump’s move on Saturday to levy a temporary tariff of 15%, the maximum allowed by law, on U.S. imports from all coun- tries, following the court’s rejection. “The decision to defer the visit was taken after discussions between officials of the two countries,” said the source, who sought anonym- ity as the matter is a sensitive one. “No new date for the visit has been decided.” The delay came mainly from the uncertainty over tariffs follow- ing Friday’s judgment, the source added. The delegation had been set to leave on Sunday for talks to finalise an interim trade deal, after both countries agreed on a framework for Washington to cut punitive tariffs of 25% on some Indian exports linked to New Delhi’s Russian oil purchases. U.S. tariffs on Indian goods were set to be cut to 18%, while India agreed to buy U.S. items worth $500 billion over five years, ranging from energy supplies to aircraft and parts, precious metals and technol- ogy products. India’s opposition Congress party had called for the interim pact to be put on hold, urging a renegotiation and questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to issue a joint statement before the court’s ruling. On Saturday, the Indian trade ministry said it was studying the implications of the judgment and later U.S. announcements. Last week, Trade Minister Piyush Goyal said the interim pact could take effect in April, after outstand- ing issues were resolved during the delegation’s visit toWashington. -R euters By Manoj Kumar United States And India Sign Pax Silica Declaration O n February 20, the United States and India signed the Pax Silica Declaration, hailing a growing geopolitical consensus that eco- nomic security is national security, and national security is economic security. India brings to Pax Silica a deep talent pool, processing and refining capacity for critical minerals, investments in AI infra- structure, and an understanding of the importance of trusted technologies. The declaration reflecting India’s joining of Pax Silica was signed by U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg, and Indian Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and Informa- tion Technology Shri S. Krishnan. The United States and India affirmed their commitment to promote pro-innovation regulations that foster AI innovation and promote the rapid buildout of secure and trusted AI ecosystems in both countries. The U.S.-India Pax Silica Declaration is a critical step towards realizing the ambi- tious vision President Trump and Prime Minister Modi outlined for U.S.-India relations under the Transforming the Re- lationship Utilizing Strategic Technology (TRUST) initiative. The United States welcomed India as the tenth Pax Silica signatory. It joins fellow signatories Australia, Israel, Japan, Qatar, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom. Additional members are ex- pected to follow. The United States and India also formalized a landmark commitment to a pro-innovation regulatory framework. This partnership is particularly significant as a strategic counter-narrative to the ris- ing global trend of restrictive, fear-based regulatory regimes. While some regions move toward stifling AI through over- regulation and trepidation, the United States and India are doubling down on free enterprise and private sector creativ- ity. By facilitating cross-border invest- ments and lowering barriers for startups and builders, this alliance can ensure that the world’s oldest and largest democracies remain the primary architects of the AI revolution, fostering an era of prosperity, security, and technological optimism. Pax Silica is a positive-sum partnership of nations who want to remain competi- tive and prosperous. By US State Department Media Note PHOTO:X.COM @USANDINDIA US and Indian officials signing of the Pax Silica Declaration, Feb. 20, 2026. PHOTO:REUTERS/CARLOS BARRIA//FILE PHOTO U.S. President Donald Trump holds a chart next to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick as Trump delivers remarks on tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 2, 2025. 20 US˨INDIA February 27, 2026