India-US near trade deal in Washington

India’s fertilizer manufacturing fell nearly a quarter in March, official data showed, as natural gas imports used in its production took a hit amid the conflict in the Middle East.

“Fertiliser production declined by 24.6% in March 2026, over March 2025,” the Ministry of Commerce said in a statement on Monday night. The drop came after a 3.4% rise in the month of February and 3.7% rise in January.

A third of the world’s fertilizers passes through the Strait of Hormuz under normal conditions. The key waterway’s effective closure during the US-Isarel war on Iran led to a shortage of several critical raw materials and fuel gases used by Indian fertiliser manufacturers. 

Fertilizers are critical to India’s agricultural sector. While the sector accounts for less than 20% of the nation’s GDP, it is still the largest source of employment in India. 

Demand for fertilizers peaks during June to July — the monsoon-sowing season.

Analysts had previously warned that a shortage of fertilizers coupled with prediction of below-normal rainfall will put pressure on the sector and India’s rural consumption. In March, the World Trade Organization warned that disruptions to fertilizer supples amid the Iran war could threaten global food security.

India’s Petroleum Minitsry has consistently insisted that there is no shortage of fertilizers as the government has adequate stockpiles at its disposal. 

Washington and New Delhi are nearing the completion of a formalised trade deal, news agency ANI reported citing senior US officials. The report comes as an Indian delegation began a fresh round of negotiations in Washington on Monday.

“The Trump Administration and India continue to have positive and productive discussions towards a finalised trade deal,” a Senior US official said. Another unnamed official said that “most of it is almost done,” adding that there weren’t many “loose ends left.”

The latest round of talks is being led by Darpan Jain from the Indian side, additional secretary of the Department of Commerce and is accompanied by about a dozen Indian officials.

The American negotiators are being led by Brendan Lynch from the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), the agency responsible for developing and coordinating US trade policy.

US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor welcomed the development in a post on X on Monday, saying: “The Indian trade delegation will be arriving in Washington this week. A great step to finalise our bilateral trade deal. A win-win for both nations,” 

India and the US agreed to an interim trade deal in February under which India would reduce tariffs on US industrial and agricultural products. In exchange, the US dropped trade tariffs on India from a peak of 50% to 18%. 

US Secreatry of State Marco Rubio is also expected in New Delhi for a state visit in May, likely to dicsuss trade, security and energy. 

Good morning! and welcome to DW’s India news blog. 

This is Mahima Kapoor from the New Delhi Bureau and I will bring to you the day’s biggest headlines and talking points.

Residents of the capital are facing heatwave-like conditions with temperatures expected to hit 39 degrees Celsius over the day. The heat feels especially brutal after over a month of pleasant winds and showers due to a western disturbance over the subcontinent. 

A recent study by environmental research firm EnviroCatalysts found that parts of Delhi have become much hotter with ground temperatures rising up to 6 degrees Celsius in some areas.

The heat on in Indian politics as well.

Social media platforms are full of video snippets of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s contoversial address to the nationon Saturday, after his party failed to pass a Women’s Reservation bill amendment.

India’s opposition stood united against the bill because it involved increasing the seats of the lower house of the parliament based on the population of India’s states. Opposition leaders criticized Modi for using a formal platform for partisan ends, days ahead of elections in two key states. 

On the global front, New Delhi is still hosting a South Korean business delegation along with President Lee Jae Myung who is on the last day of his three-day state visit. Both nations re-committed to ensure the stable supply of energy resources and key raw materials as the they seek closer ties amid geopolitical uncertainties.

Meanwhile, India and the US seem to be nearing a formal trade deal amid negotiations in Washington.

Stick with us as we break down all of this, and more.