India and the United States have moved a step closer to finalising an interim trade agreement after US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer and Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal concluded two days of high-level discussions aimed at advancing negotiations on a broader bilateral trade pact.

Greer, who led a US delegation to India from June 22 to June 24, held multiple rounds of talks with Goyal to review progress on key aspects of the proposed Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA). According to a joint statement issued by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, both sides examined critical areas including enhanced market access, digital trade, supply-chain resilience, reduction of non-tariff barriers and expanded cooperation in strategic sectors.

The ministry said negotiating teams from both countries had made substantial progress in recent months through a series of technical and ministerial-level engagements. Officials from the two sides acknowledged the momentum generated by these discussions and expressed optimism about carrying negotiations forward in the coming weeks.

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While details of specific concessions under consideration were not disclosed, both governments reiterated their commitment to securing a trade agreement that is balanced, mutually beneficial and commercially meaningful. The discussions are part of broader efforts by New Delhi and Washington to deepen economic ties and address trade-related challenges through sustained engagement.

Commenting on the talks, Goyal said the two sides reviewed progress in the ongoing trade discussions and explored opportunities to strengthen the economic partnership between the world's largest and fifth-largest economies. He also appreciated Greer's leadership and the efforts of negotiating teams in maintaining a constructive and forward-looking approach to the dialogue. During his visit, Greer also met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to discuss economic and trade cooperation.

The negotiations come as India and the United States work toward concluding a trade agreement before July 24, when the current 10 per cent US tariff framework applicable to trading partners is scheduled to remain in force. Indian officials are keen to finalise a tariff structure that would enhance the country's competitiveness in the American market compared with other major exporting nations. The outcome of the talks is expected to play a significant role in shaping future bilateral trade relations between the two countries.

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