New Delhi, March 7 -- Industry leaders expressed optimism on Thursday regarding the development of a well-structured Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) between India and the United States, despite the impending implementation of reciprocal tariffs by the US administration scheduled for April 2.

India currently imposes a 16.5 percent basic customs duty (BCD) and surcharge on smartphones and electronics imported from the United States.

Simultaneously, the country is building a robust domestic manufacturing ecosystem by focusing on four interconnected pillars: infrastructure development, technological modernisation, workforce skill development, and strategic market access to drive demand and growth.

Pankaj Mohindroo, Chairman, India Cellular...