India is intensifying energy imports from the United States, aiming to reduce the trade surplus of 40 billion dollars with Washington.

The Indian Minister of Petroleum, Hardeep Singh Puri, announced an agreement whereby 10% of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) imports will come from the USA, equivalent to about 2.2 million tons per year. The agreement, considered a historic first, will index transactions to prices at Mont Belvieu, a U.S. benchmark. Despite this step, trade relations have been recently strained, with the U.S. imposing tariffs of 50% on Indian goods, and India responding with taxes of 25%. Although President Trump previously criticized India, the tone has softened, calling Prime Minister Modi a "friend." Analyses suggest that the change in the energy mix could increase India's import bill, in the absence of a rise in domestic production.