US Trade Representative Hails India’s Package, Signalling Possible Breakthrough in Talks

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer delivered a remarkable assessment to a Senate Appropriations subcommittee in Washington, declaring that India’s current package of trade concessions represents “one of the best offers” the United States has ever received from any negotiating partner, dramatically raising expectations for a breakthrough in the long-stalled bilateral trade agreement.

While acknowledging that India remains fiercely protective of its agriculture sector, particularly regarding sensitive crops, dairy, and meat products, Greer described New Delhi’s overall stance as “quite forward-leaning,” a stark contrast to previous rounds where progress had repeatedly stalled over market-access disputes.

In New Delhi, a high-powered US delegation led by Deputy Trade Representative Rick Switzer began intensive two-day technical discussions on Wednesday with Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal overseeing proceedings, while Assistant USTR for South and Central Asia Brendan Lynch and India’s Joint Secretary Darpan Jain served as the respective chief negotiators hammering out the final contours of the agreement.

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The teams exchanged detailed positions on tariff reductions, non-tariff barriers, intellectual property alignment, and expanded market access across multiple sectors, with both sides confirming that the talks remain focused on delivering a comprehensive and mutually beneficial Bilateral Trade Agreement before the end of the current negotiating window.

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, speaking on the sidelines of the Pravasi Rajasthani Divas in Jaipur, reinforced the positive momentum, stating that negotiations are progressing at an accelerated pace and that both nations are steadily moving toward finalising a landmark deal that would substantially elevate bilateral trade volumes and deepen economic partnership.

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