CNN Central News & Network-ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: There are signs of momentum in the long-running trade agreement talks between India and the United States. US President Donald Trump has said the two countries are very close to a trade agreement. He also indicated that the agreement could be quite different from earlier trade deals signed by the United States. Trump’s remarks came at a time when US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is visiting India and the two countries are discussing trade, energy, technology and defence cooperation.
“We are very close to an agreement”
Speaking to reporters at the White House on October 20, Trump said India wants to make a deal and the United States is also ready for it. He said both sides are very close to an agreement. However, he did not clarify how the terms of the proposed agreement would differ from earlier deals. Talks between the two countries are continuing, and efforts are being made to finalise the agreement.
Marco Rubio’s India visit raises expectations
During his visit to India, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. The two leaders discussed trade, energy security, technology cooperation, defence and strengthening bilateral relations. Rubio also gave positive signals on finalising the trade agreement and said the two countries are close to that goal.
Key talks on tariffs and market access
Import duties, market access and protection of sensitive sectors have been key issues in the India-US trade agreement talks. India wants to protect the interests of sectors such as agriculture and dairy while securing better opportunities for its exporters in the US market. The United States, meanwhile, is focusing on expanding trade ties with India and increasing access for American goods and technology.
India’s Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal had said on October 15 that the first phase of the agreement had been finalised and the process of preparing its legal draft was under way. However, the final signing by both countries and the formal announcement of the agreement coming into effect are still awaited.
What happens next?
Trump’s remarks have raised expectations around the trade agreement, but the final terms and timeline remain unclear. If the two countries reach agreement on pending issues, it could boost bilateral trade, investment and strategic cooperation. For now, all eyes are on the outcome of the talks and an official announcement.
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