India and the United States are edging closer to sealing a much-anticipated bilateral trade agreement, with both sides indicating that only a handful of issues remain unresolved. Ongoing discussions in Washington, DC, have injected fresh momentum into the process, raising hopes of a near-term conclusion. A senior US official said in an ANI report that discussions between the administration of Donald Trump and New Delhi have been “positive and productive,” adding that talks are moving towards a finalised deal.
“Most of it is almost done… There aren’t many loose ends left,” the official familiar with the negotiations said in the report.
The current phase of negotiations features senior representatives from both countries, underlining the importance attached to the agreement. India’s delegation is being led by Darpan Jain, additional secretary in the Department of Commerce, while the US team is headed by Brendan Lynch from the Office of theUS Trade Representative(USTR).
Officials involved in the process noted that the present round of meetings is focused on resolving the remaining sticking points, with the majority of the framework already agreed upon. While specific details have not been made public, expectations are building that an official announcement could follow soon, added the report.
Focus On Tariffs And Market Access
The proposed agreement is part of a wider push to boost trade flows and address tariff-related barriers between the two economies. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said the first phase of the deal is “almost finalised,” highlighting India’s efforts to secure better market access in the US relative to competing nations.
The discussions are rooted in a broader framework unveiled earlier this year aimed at fostering reciprocal, mutually beneficial trade ties. These efforts build on prior engagements between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Trump, which laid the groundwork for deeper economic collaboration.
A delegation of Indian officials is currently in Washington from April 20 to 22 to accelerate progress on the initial phase of the agreement. The talks are also taking place against the backdrop of evolving US trade policies, including a temporary 10% tariff introduced earlier this year, prompting both sides to reassess certain provisions.
US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor described the deal as a “win-win” for both countries, highlighting its strategic and economic significance.
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