New Delhi, April 23 (ANI) — The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday that India and the United States are making steady progress toward finalising a comprehensive, mutually beneficial trade agreement.
At a weekly media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described the talks as constructive and focused on addressing mutual concerns while expanding economic cooperation. He noted both sides share a broader vision to increase bilateral trade, pointing to an interim framework that sets a joint target of USD 500 billion by 2030.
“These engagements are ongoing and constructive. Both sides are working towards a balanced, mutually beneficial and forward premium trade agreement that takes into account each other’s concerns and priorities and to reach a trade target of USD 500 billion by 2030,” Jaiswal said.
A senior US official told ANI that fresh negotiations in Washington indicate progress toward a finalised deal. “The Trump administration and India continue to have positive and productive discussions towards a finalised trade deal,” the official said when asked about the talks’ status.
Indian negotiators have arrived in the US capital for the latest round. An official familiar with the discussions, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said most substantive issues have been resolved and only a few gaps remain. “Most of it is almost done,” the official added.
Remaining sessions are expected to focus on closing those gaps. The Indian delegation will meet officials from the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR). Leading the US team is Brendan Lynch, Assistant US Trade Representative for South and Central Asia, while India’s delegation is headed by Darpan Jain, Additional Secretary in the Department of Commerce, who has played a central role in the talks.
Officials say the presence of senior representatives underscores growing momentum for the proposed trade framework. While specific details have not been disclosed, they indicated an announcement could come soon. A finalised deal would represent a significant milestone between the world’s largest economy and one of its fastest-growing major economies.
On February 7, India and the US said they had reached a framework for an interim reciprocal trade agreement, reaffirming commitment to broader bilateral trade agreement (BTA) negotiations launched by US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 13, 2025, aimed at enhancing market access.
Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said the first tranche of the bilateral trade agreement is “almost finalised,” and discussions are focusing on securing preferential US market access for India compared with competitors. “We have almost finalised our free trade agreement, the first tranche of the bilateral trade agreement with them. We are trying to close the Ts and dots on that and work out what would be the mechanism by which India can get preferential market access in the US compared to our competitors,” he told reporters at the India-Korea Business Forum in New Delhi.
(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)
