India, US advance toward interim trade deal after four-day talks

NEW DELHI: Indian and US negotiators made progress in their latest round of talks in New Delhi on Tuesday on a bilateral trade deal, having focused on market access for industrial and some agricultural goods, tariff cuts and non-tariff barriers, Indian government sources said.

“The negotiations held with the US side were productive and helped in making progress towards crafting a mutually beneficial and balanced agreement including through achievement of early wins,” one of the sources said.

The US delegation, led by senior officials from the Office of the US Trade Representative, held closed-door negotiations with Indian trade ministry officials headed by chief negotiator Rajesh Agrawal.

Both sides discussed increasing bilateral digital trade, by improving customs and trade facilitation measures, the sources said, adding that “negotiations will continue” for early conclusion of the initial tranche of the trade pact.

US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had agreed in February to conclude a bilateral trade agreement by fall 2025 and to more than double bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030.