WASHINGTON — A long-awaited trade agreement between India and the United States is nearly finalized, with just 1% to 2% of negotiations remaining, a senior U.S. official said Friday, raising hopes of a breakthrough after months of discussions.
The official said most major differences between the two countries had been resolved, with negotiations continuing at the highest levels, including between President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“The biggest items have been settled. I mean …., it’s pretty much done. We have that one, one or two per cent left,” the official told reporters during a State Department briefing.
The comments came ahead of Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s planned visit to India, where he is expected to meet government officials and business leaders in Mumbai and Jamnagar.
The official said Washington and New Delhi remain in regular contact as they work to finalize the agreement.
“We are actively engaged every single week,” the official said, pointing to recent discussions involving U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, and conversations between Trump and Modi.
However, the official acknowledged that legal complications had delayed the negotiations.
An earlier understanding had been tied to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), but changes to the legal framework following a court ruling forced negotiators to reconsider portions of the proposed agreement.
The setback added several months to the negotiating process, although the official expressed confidence that the remaining differences could be resolved.
Rubio is scheduled to visit Uzbekistan for meetings with Central Asian leaders before traveling to India.
During his stop in Mumbai, he will meet Indian officials and senior executives from some of the country’s largest corporations.
According to the official, the decision to hold meetings in Mumbai rather than New Delhi reflects the Trump administration’s increasing focus on commercial diplomacy and attracting Indian investment to the United States.
Rubio is also expected to visit Jamnagar as part of the trip.
The official said the United States is seeking deeper cooperation with India in information technology, pharmaceuticals, defense and other strategic industries.
Additional visits by senior U.S. Cabinet officials are expected next year as Washington and New Delhi work to strengthen economic and diplomatic relations. (Source: IANS)
