Desk Correspondent , New Delhi - India is embarking on a series of high-stakes trade engagements starting this week, aiming to bolster its global economic footprint amid evolving international dynamics. The initiatives include the first in-person talks with the United States in six months to finalize an provisional bilateral trade agreement under a revised tariff framework, following the US Supreme Court's February 20 ruling striking down reciprocal tariffs imposed via the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. India is also set to sign a free trade agreement with New Zealand on April 27, after negotiations concluded in December, while preparing for the first face-to-face round with Canada in early May, marking a thaw after over two years of stalled talks triggered by prior diplomatic tensions in Ottawa.

Further more with the operationalization of the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement next month, enabling duty-free access for 99% of Indian exports to the UK market post-ratification. A key focus is accelerating the review of the 2010 India-South Korea Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, addressing India's widening trade deficit concerns, with both sides having appointed chief negotiators after the 11th round in Seoul last July.

People familiar with the developments noted that South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's visit from Sunday will likely set in motion CEPA discussions during his Monday bilateral with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, covering shipbuilding, AI, semiconductors, and people-to-people ties. An Indian official cited the Canada talks as the second round overall but first physical, post a virtual session in March, while another emphasized the US delegation's three-day Washington meet from Monday.