India and the United States are set to intensify negotiations on a proposed interim trade agreement, with a senior delegation from the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) scheduled to visit New Delhi on June 23-24 for high-level discussions aimed at finalising the first tranche of the deal.
Speaking at the monthly trade data briefing on Monday, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said the USTR delegation will meet Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and senior Indian officials during the visit.
"Our expectation is that discussions will be centred around giving final touches to the first tranche of the deal as well as the larger Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) that has been under discussion," Agrawal said.
According to him, the talks will focus on concluding the interim agreement while also advancing negotiations on the broader trade pact between the two countries.
The upcoming visit follows an earlier round of negotiations held in New Delhi from June 2 to June 4, during which USTR officials and Indian representatives discussed trade in goods, non-tariff measures, customs and trade facilitation, economic security alignment and other areas of mutual interest.
India and the US had issued a joint statement in February outlining a framework for an interim trade agreement based on reciprocal and mutually beneficial trade. The statement also reaffirmed both countries' commitment to negotiating a comprehensive Bilateral Trade Agreement.
Earlier this month, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said the proposed trade pact was "99 per cent there", indicating that only a few issues remained unresolved. He described the agreement as a "win-win" outcome for both nations and said officials were actively working towards its conclusion.
The June 23-24 talks are expected to provide fresh momentum to the negotiations and bring both sides closer to finalising the long-awaited trade agreement.
PM Modi welcomes US-Iran understanding
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the understanding reached between the United States and Iran aimed at ending months of conflict in West Asia, expressing hope that the development would help restore regional stability and protect vital global trade routes.
"I welcome the understanding reached between the United States and Iran on ending the conflict in West Asia, which has caused serious economic disruption across the world and led to loss of life in many countries. India hopes that the implementation of this understanding will help restore peace and stability in the region and ensure the freedom of navigation and commerce," PM Modi said.
India's response reflects its longstanding support for dialogue and peaceful conflict resolution in a region critical to global energy markets and international trade.
The conflict, which erupted earlier this year, disrupted maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important energy corridors, raising concerns over energy supplies and global trade.
For India, which relies heavily on crude oil imports from the Gulf region, stability in West Asia remains strategically important. Any disruption to shipping routes can directly impact energy security, trade flows and economic growth.
The reported understanding between Washington and Tehran includes provisions for a ceasefire, reopening of trade routes and a framework for further negotiations on unresolved issues.
As discussions continue, New Delhi is expected to closely monitor developments while encouraging all parties to work towards a sustainable and comprehensive agreement that ensures long-term peace, stability and uninterrupted global commerce.
