India is preparing to formally request the United States for relaxed export controls and enhanced access to advanced technologies under the proposed bilateral trade agreement (BTA), according to sources quoted by news agency PTI.
The concessions India seeks are similar to those granted by the US to close allies like Australia, the United Kingdom, and Japan.
New Delhi reportedly aims to secure greater access in sectors such as telecommunications equipment, biotechnology, artificial intelligence (AI), pharmaceuticals, quantum computing, and semiconductors. In parallel, India is pushing for tariff reductions on labour-intensive exports including textiles, gems and jewellery, leather goods, garments, plastics, chemicals, shrimp, oil seeds, grapes, and bananas.
Conversely, the US is seeking duty concessions for industrial goods, automobiles (particularly electric vehicles), wines, petrochemical products, dairy, and agricultural products such as apples and tree nuts.
India’s demand for technology access parity with US allies stems from the need to strengthen its innovation ecosystem, technological infrastructure, and broader economic development. However, the Indian commerce ministry, which leads the negotiations, has not commented publicly on the developments.
Reports from the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) note that the US has recently eased export controls to boost technology collaboration with trusted allies under initiatives like the AUKUS security pact. Starting September 1 last year, around 80 per cent of defence-related exports to Australia and the UK no longer require individual licences. Similarly, new US controls introduced last year on quantum computing and semiconductor exports largely exempt G7 partners such as Australia, the UK, and Japan, allowing smoother technology flows.
On India’s request, GTRI founder Ajay Srivastava observed that while Washington is keen to deepen tech ties with India – particularly under the Quad framework – full parity with Australia, the UK, and Japan may not be immediately feasible. “American officials could cite concerns over India’s export control regime, intellectual property protection, cybersecurity standards, and defence relations with Russia.Instead of blanket exemptions, the US may propose trusted partner programmes, project-specific licences, or expanded licensing exceptions for select Indian entities,” Srivastava said.
The BTA’s terms of reference reportedly cover 19 chapters, addressing tariffs, goods, services, rules of origin, non-tariff barriers, and customs facilitation. An Indian delegation recently visited Washington to address outstanding differences before formal negotiations, which are scheduled to start during the ongoing 90-day tariff pause period that began on April 10.
The US remained India’s largest trading partner for the fourth consecutive year in 2024-25, with bilateral trade reaching $131.84 billion. The US accounted for around 18 per cent of India’s total goods exports, 6.22 per cent of imports, and 10.73 per cent of overall merchandise trade. India maintained a goods trade surplus with the US of $41.18 billion in 2024-25, continuing a trend of rising surpluses in recent years- $35.32 billion in 2023-24, $27.7 billion in 2022-23, $32.85 billion in 2021-22, and $22.73 billion in 2020-21.
However, Washington has raised concerns about the widening trade imbalance as part of its broader trade discussions with New Delhi.

An all-women managed hotel will be open in Bhopal soon for the company to commence its Indian operations. Photo courtesy: Facebook

Maldives based Atmosphere Core, a hotel management company has announced plans to expand in India and Indian ocean region by offering unique experiences and differentiated products to couples and guests said it’s co founder & managing director Salil Panigrahi in an interview.

An all-women managed hotel will be open in Bhopal soon for the company to commence its Indian operations, he said.

“We were the first one in Asia to operate the fast couples only all powered by women managed hotel in the Maldives which is a huge success. And we are trying to get that success story to India. We are opening a hotel in Bhopal, which will be managed by women only,” he said.

The company which started in 2014 today offers 9% of the total hotel inventory in the Maldives, starting from four to five star luxury and uber luxury resort properties.

Its brands include Colours of Oblu, The Ozen Collection and Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts. The company today operates 9 properties in Maldives.

“In India we have signed a couple of hotels. We should open 2 to 3 hotels in the next couple of years here. In the next 5 years, I would say that at least we will run 15 to 20 hotels and resorts in India,” he said.

“But in India, as we are more of an experiential hotel brand, we will be focusing less on the cities. We will be in holiday cities like Bengaluru, will focus more on leisure cities and scenic places, places with nature like we are in,” he pointed out.

The company is looking at North, Northeast India for growth. One hotel is coming up in Kolkata and it is looking at Goa as well.

“Most of our hotels in India would be experiential hotels. Let’s put this way more leisure, more experiential. We will not be doing business hotels,” he emphasised.

He said the company is increasing its footprint in Middle East and Africa for wildlife nature. It has sighed one property in Italy which is an old monastery that has been converted into a heritage hotel.

The company is looking at Nepal and Bhutan markets, he said.

The company will soon have a portfolio of 12 to 13 hotels in the Maldives and will have one in Sri Lanka, Mr. Panigrahi said.