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As senior officials from India and the United States held high-level trade talks in New Delhi on Tuesday, Washington signalled that both sides are nearing the conclusion of a long-awaited trade pact, with US Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Bethany Poulos Morrison saying the two countries are "very, very close" to finalising a historic agreement.
The discussions covered both the interim arrangement and the broader bilateral trade agreement.
"Looking at trade, in February 2026, we announced the intention to finally conclude the historic trade deal. We are very, very close," Morrison said at an event.
She said the proposed agreement would open India's market of 1.4 billion people to American goods on "reciprocal and mutually beneficial" terms and support the two countries' target of achieving $500 billion in bilateral trade by 2030 under the "Mission 500" initiative.
Morrison added that bilateral goods trade reached $149 billion in 2025 and that US exports to India increased by 9.8 per cent during the year.
The US Embassy in India said Washington remains focused on securing a "fair, reciprocal trade deal" that expands market access for American exporters while benefiting both countries.
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer met Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal in New Delhi to advance negotiations on the Interim Agreement, an initiative launched by President
Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, who accompanied Greer during the visit, said the ongoing discussions were intended to conclude the trade agreement and further strengthen economic ties between New Delhi and Washington.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also met Greer and his delegation in New Delhi, where both sides exchanged views on strengthening trade and economic cooperation and explored new avenues for growth.
As India and the United States push to conclude an interim trade agreement, Kansas Senator Roger Marshall has said key issues remain unresolved, pointing to trade imbalances and tariff barriers while expressing optimism about opportunities to expand bilateral commerce.
Speaking in Washington, Marshall said negotiations were progressing but cautioned that more work was needed before an agreement could be finalised.
"There are some challenges when it comes to the trade agreement. There's a $50 billion imbalance between the two countries. There's some work to be done," Marshall said.
The senator also raised concerns over market access for American exporters and called for a more reciprocal trading relationship between the two countries.
"For years, India has built up walls and tariffs for American goods coming in there. So if you want us to buy the products you're making, frankly, then we hope that you will return that trade to us as well," he said.
Despite the outstanding issues, Marshall said he remained optimistic about opportunities for expanding trade, particularly in the ethanol sector.
The discussions covered both the interim arrangement and the broader bilateral trade agreement.
"Looking at trade, in February 2026, we announced the intention to finally conclude the historic trade deal. We are very, very close," Morrison said at an event.
She said the proposed agreement would open India's market of 1.4 billion people to American goods on "reciprocal and mutually beneficial" terms and support the two countries' target of achieving $500 billion in bilateral trade by 2030 under the "Mission 500" initiative.
Morrison added that bilateral goods trade reached $149 billion in 2025 and that US exports to India increased by 9.8 per cent during the year.
The US Embassy in India said Washington remains focused on securing a "fair, reciprocal trade deal" that expands market access for American exporters while benefiting both countries.
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer met Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal in New Delhi to advance negotiations on the Interim Agreement, an initiative launched by President
US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, who accompanied Greer during the visit, said the ongoing discussions were intended to conclude the trade agreement and further strengthen economic ties between New Delhi and Washington.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also met Greer and his delegation in New Delhi, where both sides exchanged views on strengthening trade and economic cooperation and explored new avenues for growth.
Senator points to trade imbalance and tariffs
As India and the United States push to conclude an interim trade agreement, Kansas Senator Roger Marshall has said key issues remain unresolved, pointing to trade imbalances and tariff barriers while expressing optimism about opportunities to expand bilateral commerce.
Speaking in Washington, Marshall said negotiations were progressing but cautioned that more work was needed before an agreement could be finalised.
"There are some challenges when it comes to the trade agreement. There's a $50 billion imbalance between the two countries. There's some work to be done," Marshall said.
The senator also raised concerns over market access for American exporters and called for a more reciprocal trading relationship between the two countries.
#WATCH | Washington, DC, USA| On India-US trade deal, Kansas Senator Roger Marshall says, "There are some challenges when it comes to the trade agreement. There's a $50 billion imabalance between the two countries... There's some work to be done. I'm optimistic for opportunities… pic.twitter.com/jA2B9NlSfJ
— ANI (@ANI) June 24, 2026
"For years, India has built up walls and tariffs for American goods coming in there. So if you want us to buy the products you're making, frankly, then we hope that you will return that trade to us as well," he said.
Despite the outstanding issues, Marshall said he remained optimistic about opportunities for expanding trade, particularly in the ethanol sector.
