The government has once again extended the deadline to impose higher import duties on 29 items originating from the United States. A notification from the Finance Ministry said that the implementation of retaliatory customs duties these items has been deferred.

The Indian government had decided to impose highear duties on imports of 29 US products after the Trump administration's decision to impose high custom duties on certain steel and aluminium products US imports from India. India has extended this deadline more than half a dozen time since June 2018.

India has pushed the dates again as both sides are negotiating a trade package to boost bilateral commerce. But earlier this month, the US decided to withdraw export incentives being provided by them to Indian exporters for certain goods under Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) programme.

Extension of these benefits were part of the negotiations between India and the US among other issues. These incentives are expected to be withdrawn from May 2. Domestic exporters are jittery over US' decision to withdraw these incentives as they export goods worth $5.6 billion under GSP programme. About 1,900 items including from chemicals and engineering sectors avail these sops.

The government is considering to send a delegation to the US earlier next month to hold discussions on ways to resolve all trade-related issues.

Both sides were holding two-track discussions to increase trade in short and medium term, and identify long-term trade potentials.

India is pressing for exemption from high duty imposed by the US on certain steel and aluminium products, resumption of export benefits to certain domestic products under their GSP programme, greater market access for its products from agriculture, automobile, automobile components and engineering sectors.

On the other hand, the US is demanding greater market access through cut in import duties for its agriculture goods, dairy products, medical devices, IT and communication items. India has stated that it would be difficult for them to cut duties on IT products.

As part of the imposition of higher import duties, New Delhi has notified higher tariffs on several products. While import duty on walnut has been hiked to 120 per cent from 30 per cent currently, duty on chickpeas, Bengal gram (chana) and masur dal will be raised to 70 per cent, from 30 per cent currently. Levy on lentils will be increased to 40 per cent, from 30 per cent.

India's exports to the US in 2017-18 stood at $47.9 billion, while imports were $26.7 billion. The trade balance is in favour of India.