India, US Agree To Continue 'Positive Engagements' On Trade After High-Level Talks In Delhi

India and the United States have agreed to continue the “current purposeful and positive engagements” on a bilateral trade deal after the conclusion of two days of high-level talks concluded in New Delhi on Thursday.

A US delegation, led by Deputy US Trade Representative Ambassador Rick Switzer, visited India from December 9-11. The visit was Ambassador Switzer’s first to India after assuming his current office. He met Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and other senior officials.

The visit served as an opportunity for both sides to have productive exchanges on a wide gamut of items related to India-US trade and economic ties, including the ongoing negotiations for a mutually beneficial India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement, as per a Commerce Ministry

statement.

US Says ‘Best Ever’ Offer From India

Earlier, US trade representative Jamieson Greer told lawmakers that India had presented some of the “strongest trade proposals Washington had seen in years”. He noted that New Delhi had been “quite forward-leaning” in recent rounds, suggesting the country is becoming a “viable alternative market”.

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said Greer’s comments were “very much welcome” and said that trade negotiations with the US were progressing well. “The current visit is a new deputy United States Trade Representative (USTR) who has joined about three months ago. It’s his first visit to India. We’re getting to know each other…We had very good substantive discussions,” he told reporters.

He also said if Washington was happy with India’s offer, they should sign the trade agreement on the “dotted lines”. However, he did not share the details of India’s offer to the US.

PM Modi Speaks To Trump

This came as Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday held a telephonic conversation with US President Donald Trump that focused on enhancing economic ties at a time when the two countries are eyeing a trade deal.

The leaders hey reviewed the progress in the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership and underscored the importance of sustaining momentum to enhance bilateral trade. PM Modi described the conversation as “warm and engaging”.

READ MORE: ‘Warm Conversation’: PM Modi, Trump Talk Trade, Energy In First Call After Putin’s India Visit

The conversation followed Putin’s high-profile visit to India, where he held wide-ranging talks with PM Modi. The Russian President sent a strong message of India-Russia friendship on the global stage, coming at a crucial meeting when Trump imposed 50% tariffs on Indian imports for purchasing Russian oil.

The Indian industry and exporters are eagerly waiting for the conclusion of the negotiations and announcement of the deal, as the high import duties are hurting their shipments to America.

(with agency inputs)