A U.S. delegation headed by Brendan Lynch, Assistant US Trade Representative for South and Central Asia, has arrived at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in Delhi to restart trade negotiations with India. Discussions will involve India’s chief negotiator, Rajesh Agrawal, and other officials, focusing on a bilateral trade agreement. These talks, initially scheduled for the end of August, were delayed but are now underway.
Brendan Lynch’s role involves overseeing U.S. trade policy for 15 countries in the South and Central Asia region, including managing the U.S.-India Trade Policy Forum. He also coordinates activities related to Trade and Investment Framework Agreements with regional partners.
Lynch previously held the position of Deputy Assistant US Trade Representative for South and Central Asia, where he managed negotiations across multiple sectors. Earlier, he was the USTR’s Director for India, where he oversaw the bilateral trade relationship.
Lynch’s career at USTR began in 2013 in the Office of Agricultural Affairs. In this role, he promoted U.S. agricultural trade and led agricultural negotiations with countries in South and Central Asia, along with Taiwan, Israel, Central America, the Caribbean, Mexico, Canada, and Russia.
Prior to joining USTR, Lynch worked as an International Trade Analyst at the US International Trade Commission. He provided economic analysis of free trade agreements and offered advice regarding trade barriers. He earned a B.S. degree from Boston College and holds an M.B.A. from George Washington University.
