The fresh 25% tariffs slapped on Indian goods by U.S. President Donald Trump this week are being viewed by many as a negotiating tactic designed to force India to buy more U.S. energy products and other goods going forward.

Officials said the government-to-government engagement between the two countries on all other issues remains normal, but conceded rough spots over trade that need ironing out.

Speaking last week, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said that there were “no sticking points” in the India-US relationship and added that issues like immigration and H-1B visas had not come up in the current trade talks.

As India faces escalating economic pressure from the US, its regional rival Pakistan hails closer ties with Washington.

US President Donald Trump has ruled out the possibility of trade negotiations with India, until the issue of tariffs is resolved. “No, not until we get it resolved,” Trump said in the Oval Office in response to a question on whether he expects increased trade negotiations with India since he has announced 50 per cent tariffs on the country.

U.S. President Donald Trump last Wednesday announced 25% tariffs on Indian imports from August 7 and threatened more penalties over New Delhi's purchases of Russian oil. Below is a timeline of how India,

India and the US have been negotiating a bilateral trade agreement (BTA) since March. Five rounds of talks have been completed so far.