New Delhi: A long-awaited trade agreement between India and the United States may soon materialize, with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar revealing that negotiations are well past the halfway mark. In an exclusive interview with Newsweek, Jaishankar expressed optimism about concluding the deal, while acknowledging that final hurdles remain.
“We are in the middle — actually, more than the middle — of trade negotiations. I hope we can bring it to a close, but I can’t guarantee it. There is another party involved,” Jaishankar said, signaling cautious optimism.
The comments have sparked renewed hope that India and the U.S. are on the brink of signing a major trade agreement that could ease longstanding trade barriers, strengthen supply chains, and elevate economic cooperation between the world’s two largest democracies.
Reflecting on the broader US-India relationship, Jaishankar noted that ties have consistently strengthened across five successive American presidencies—from Clinton to Biden.
“At the end of every presidency, the India-U.S. relationship has been better than it was at the start,” he observed.
However, Jaishankar acknowledged that no strategic relationship is without friction. Citing past diplomatic challenges, including the Devyani Khobragade case during his tenure as ambassador, he noted that “every presidency has had its own friction point,” reinforcing that strong partnerships often involve difficult conversations.
At a White House press briefing, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that a formal announcement on the US-India trade agreement is expected soon. She emphasized the “very good personal rapport” between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former President Donald Trump, highlighting how such ties have helped advance strategic cooperation.
“India is a vital strategic ally in the Indo-Pacific. The trade deal is in its final stages,” Leavitt said.
Jaishankar also spoke about India’s unique global position, stressing that India is not aligned with any single bloc but instead charts its own strategic course.
“We are a democracy, a market economy, and a modern society. We attend G7, Quad, and BRICS. Not many countries can speak to Russia and Iran while maintaining strong ties with the West,” he said, underscoring India’s diplomatic flexibility and global leverage.
The External Affairs Minister arrived in Washington, D.C., on Monday to participate in the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (QFMM), following an invitation from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The meeting, scheduled for July 1, will focus on strengthening cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, particularly on issues of maritime security, infrastructure, and emerging technologies.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the ministers will also assess the progress of various Quad initiatives and lay the groundwork for the Quad Leaders’ Summit, which India will host later this year.
Before his Washington visit, Jaishankar stopped in New York, where he inaugurated an exhibition at the United Nations titled “The Human Cost of Terrorism.” The exhibition aimed to spotlight the devastating impact of terrorism and called for greater accountability from state sponsors of terrorism.
The External Affairs Minister’s remarks and meetings reflect India’s deepening role on the world stage, as it works to balance economic diplomacy with its commitment to regional stability, counter-terrorism, and strategic autonomy.
As the world watches closely, all eyes are now on Washington and New Delhi for what could be a landmark trade agreement—a deal that may reshape the next phase of the US-India strategic partnership.
