India US trade pact talks: Modi and Trump ask negotiators to finalise interim deal

Trade dominated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s talks with US President Donald Trump, according to Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. Both leaders asked negotiators to finish the proposed trade pact quickly. Misri spoke on Thursday, after Modi and Trump met at the G7 Summit. The leaders held wide talks for the first time in 16 months.

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Misri said the trade agreement had caused uncertainty for about a year. Misri said the issue needed urgent attention during the Modi-Trump meeting. "There were some important and urgent issues that needed to be discussed yesterday, notably the trade agreement, which is something that has created a certain amount of uncertainty over the past year or so between the two countries,\" Misri said.

Trade pact talks between India and United States

Misri said India and the United States were nearing an interim free trade agreement. \"With the United States, we have made significant progress already on the conclusion of an interim free trade agreement. We are in the final stages of concluding that agreement,\" Misri said. Misri added that the subject came up strongly in the Modi-Trump bilateral meeting in Evian.

Misri said both leaders repeated their instruction to close the deal soon. \"And it was important that we move forward to some kind of certainty on these issues,\" Misri said at a media briefing. Misri also confirmed that US Trade Representative, Jamieson Greer, will visit India next week. Misri said the visit will help carry talks forward.

Trade pact focus in meetings with UK, Canada and EU

Trade also stayed central in Modi’s other meetings at the summit, Misri said. Misri named UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Canadian PM Mark Carney. Misri also referred to talks with European Union leaders Antonio Costa and Ursula von der Leyen. Misri said trade was a key focus across these separate bilateral engagements.

West Asia situation and US-Iran understanding

Misri said the West Asia situation also featured in G7 outreach meetings and bilateral talks. Misri said Modi shared India’s wish for stable peace and security in the region. US President Trump on Wednesday signed an initial agreement to end the war with Iran. Misri said India welcomed the development and hoped for peace and stability.

Misri said India stayed in contact with countries involved in, or affected by, the conflict. \"We remain in very close touch with all of those partners, and well be ready to do whatever it is, whatever it is possible for us to do, in so far as addressing the next steps,\" Misri said. Misri said India expected the understanding to support sustained calm.

Misri said India kept stressing freedom of navigation and unimpeded commerce in regional waterways. Misri said Modi highlighted safety and security for seafarers. Misri noted that many Indian seafarers work on maritime platforms supporting global trade. Misri said Modi raised this in outreach meetings and also in talks with leaders.

Misri said India hoped the US-Iran peace deal would support long-term stability in West Asia. Misri said India backed dialogue and diplomacy to settle such conflicts. \"We have always advocated the path of dialogue and diplomacy to settle conflicts such as these. We have always also expressed our readiness to contribute in any manner that we can,\" Misri said. \"We have very strong relationships with all of the countries in the region,\" Misri said.

With inputs from PTI