Trade Talks Accelerate Between India and the U.S.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump have urged their teams to expedite discussions on a bilateral trade agreement. According to Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, the U.S. Trade Representative is set to visit India next week to advance these talks.
The trade agreement was a key topic during Modi and Trump’s recent meeting at the G7 Summit in Evian, France. Misri highlighted the necessity for “some kind of certainty” regarding trade relations between the two nations during a media briefing in Paris.
It has been 16 months since the two leaders last met. Modi hasn’t traveled to the U.S. since February 2025, which was also the last time Trump visited India. Misri noted that the atmosphere during their recent discussions was positive.
Misri stated that all major issues were addressed, with the bilateral trade agreement being one of the most important. He mentioned, “The two leaders told officials to move forward quickly on this.” The U.S. Trade Representative, Jamieson Greer, will be meeting with India’s Commerce Minister next week to further these conversations.
The ongoing trade deal process has created a sense of uncertainty over the past year, and both leaders agree on the need for clarity moving forward.
The recent meeting aimed to mend the bilateral ties that faced challenges last year, particularly after the introduction of 50% tariffs on Indian exports by Trump. While a framework for a trade deal was outlined earlier this year, negotiations have been slow with ongoing disagreements over tariffs and access to markets.
Regarding other topics such as Pakistan and cross-border terrorism, Misri noted that the recent meeting was short and focused. “India’s concerns are well known to our American counterparts,” he added.
On the topic of the peace deal between Iran and the U.S., Misri expressed India’s readiness to collaborate with all parties involved to promote lasting peace in West Asia. He mentioned the recent agreement between Iran and the U.S. to cease hostilities and open the Strait of Hormuz, despite Israel’s concerns about the situation.
Misri stated, “We are hopeful this deal will lead to stability and peace in the region.” He emphasized that India has strong relationships with all countries involved and stands ready to contribute to future developments as needed.
