New Delhi: India and the United States have reviewed progress in negotiations for an interim bilateral trade agreement, with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer set to visit India next week to advance discussions on the proposed pact.
The issue featured prominently during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France on Wednesday. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the two leaders expressed satisfaction over the pace of negotiations and directed officials to expedite efforts towards a balanced, mutually beneficial and commercially meaningful agreement.
“The US Trade Representative, Mr. Jamieson Greer, will be visiting India next week in this connection,” the MEA said in a statement.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said the two countries were “very close” to concluding the trade pact. “We had, in particular, some very good conversations with Prime Minister Modi, India. And we’re doing trade deals, we’re doing a lot of things, a lot of things are happening between the United States and India,” he said.
The US President also praised PM Modi for encouraging investments in the United States. “Prime Minister is building a lot in the United States. He’s spending a lot of money in the United States. So we appreciate that job,” Trump added.
Earlier this week, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said Greer’s visit, scheduled from June 22 to 24, would focus on finalising the framework for the interim agreement and discussing the broader Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) under negotiation.
Greer’s visit comes as India and the US continue discussions over proposed tariff measures under Section 301 proceedings while simultaneously working towards a comprehensive trade framework.
Beyond trade, Modi and Trump also reviewed progress under the India-US COMPACT initiative and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in defence, strategic technologies, energy and commerce as part of the broader India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.
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