India announced on Wednesday reforms to cut red tape and simplify its import quality checks, addressing a concern raised by the US over what it described as the South Asian country's "burdensome" import-quality requirements. New Delhi and Washington have been working to thrash out a trade agreement, which India hopes will bring relief from a 50 per cent tariff imposed by President Donald Trump on some of its main exports as punishment for its Russian oil purchases.

The reforms on import checks include reduced paperwork, shorter timelines, and fewer inspections for quality approvals, the trade ministry said in a statement.

"The reforms aim to accelerate processes, reduce turnaround times, and leverage technology-driven systems to make quality assurance faster, more transparent, and more accessible for enterprises, institutions, and citizens," said Jaxay Shah, the chairman of the Quality Council of India.

India expects to secure a trade deal with the United States before the end of this year as most issues have been resolved, New Delhi's trade secretary said on 28 November.

Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump said that talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had been going well. Trump's administration has pressured India to reduce oil purchases from Russia and to bring down tariffs including across sensitive sectors like agriculture.