New Delhi: Chief Economic Adviser (CEA) V Anantha Nageswaran has confirmed that India and the US have resolved most of their pending trade issues. He added that he would be “surprised” if India and the US do not finalize a trade deal by March, reports Bloomberg TV.
The remarks come at a time when discussions between New Delhi and Washington are going on to deepen bilateral trade ties and address market access concerns.
Nageswaran’s remarks are followed by US trade negotiators claiming the Indian offer is the ‘best we’ve ever got’. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer had said that India has made the “best offers Washington has received as a country” so far, as both nations continue their discussions for a trade deal.
Also, Union Minister Piyush Goyal said that the ongoing trade talks between Indian and US officials are progressing well, but at the same time, ruled out any deadline for signing a deal.
Commenting on US Deputy Trade Representative Rick Switzer's two-day visit to Delhi, Goyal said: "We had very good substantive discussions. But I have said on record that a deal is only done when both sides stand to benefit. We should never negotiate with deadlines because you tend to make mistakes then."
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri also met Switzer. Discussions covered the strong India–US economic and technology partnership, ongoing trade negotiations, and opportunities to boost two-way trade and resilient supply chains.
India’s Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal and US Deputy Trade Representative Switzer held discussions here on the proposed bilateral trade agreement between the two countries. "The two sides exchanged views on matters related to India-US trade and economic ties, including on the ongoing negotiations for a mutually beneficial Bilateral Trade Agreement," the Commerce Ministry said in a post on X.
