India US trade agreement talks described as positive after USTR delegation visit

India said on Friday that talks with the United States on a bilateral trade agreement were moving ahead well. The government described the recent discussions as positive and constructive. Officials said both sides were working to settle an interim trade deal first. Negotiators were also continuing efforts to finalise a wider agreement.

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A delegation from the US Trade Representative visited India from June 1 to 4. The visit aimed to push forward negotiations on the trade agreement. India said the meetings helped advance the process. Officials also linked the visit to ongoing work since February on an interim deal.

India US trade agreement talks described as positive

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal spoke about the talks at a weekly media briefing. Randhir Jaiswal referred to a commerce ministry statement on the discussions. Randhir Jaiswal said, "The conversations have been positive and constructive.\" Randhir Jaiswal added that both sides stayed committed to taking the interim trade and bilateral trade agreement forward.

The commerce ministry said the two sides discussed many issues during the meetings. The list included trade in goods and non-tariff measures. It also covered customs and trade facilitation. The ministry added economic security alignment and other shared interests to that list.

India US trade agreement negotiators and timeline

In February, the two sides issued a joint statement on an agreed framework. The framework set out plans for an interim trade deal. It also stressed reciprocal and mutually-beneficial trade. Since then, India and the US have continued negotiations to firm up the arrangement.

The US delegation was led by chief negotiator Brendan Lynch. India’s chief negotiator is Darpan Jain. Darpan Jain is an additional secretary in the Department of Commerce. Officials said the latest round of talks built on earlier work between both sides.

Last week, US Ambassador Sergio Gor spoke about the status of the discussions. Sergio Gor said only one per cent of issues remain. The remark suggested most elements of the trade deal were settled. India’s statements on Friday did not list the remaining points.

Officials said the talks were meant to support an interim deal and a broader bilateral agreement. India said the latest meetings covered goods trade and steps to ease trade procedures. Both sides also discussed non-tariff measures and customs matters. The government maintained that negotiations were continuing to complete the agreement.

With inputs from PTI