INDIA and the US, at a high-level official meeting held in New Delhi on September 16 amid the thaw in the relations between the two countries, decided to intensify efforts to achieve an early conclusion of a mutually beneficial trade agreement.
A team of officials from the office of the United States Trade Representative, led by Chief Negotiator, India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement negotiations, Brendan Lynch, held discussions on India-US trade ties, including the India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement, with a team of Indian officials, led by Special Secretary, Commerce, Rajesh Agrawal. According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the talks were described as “positive and forward-looking,” with both sides acknowledging the enduring importance of bilateral trade.
The visit comes at a time when New Delhi and Washington are seeking to broaden economic cooperation in areas ranging from market access to regulatory frameworks, even as both sides engage through multilateral platforms on global trade challenges.
“Acknowledging the enduring importance of bilateral trade between India and the US, the discussions were positive and forward looking covering various aspects of the trade deal. It was decided to intensify efforts to achieve early conclusion of a mutually beneficial Trade Agreement,” a statement issued by the Commerce and Industry Ministry after the meeting.
Trump greets PM Modi/h6>
IN their first phone conversation in months, US President Donald Trump called Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 16 to extend greetings on his 75th birthday.
Prime Minister Modi, in a post on X, called Trump his “friend” and thanked him for the wishes.
“Thank you, my friend, President Trump, for your phone call and warm greetings on my 75th birthday. Like you, I am also fully committed to taking the India-US Comprehensive and Global Partnership to new heights. We support your initiatives towards a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict,” PM Modi wrote.
According to Commerce Ministry sources, trade discussions are going on at several levels, and further course of action will be decided after the trade talks with the US Chief Negotiator, Lynch. There is a positive frame of mind on both sides while approaching trade issues. The teams are set to discuss all the pending issues related to the trade deal. Certain issues are in the diplomatic realm where the MEA is also engaged.
