HighLights
  1. India-US trade deal nearing final negotiation phase.
  2. US Trade Representative Greer calls talks with Goyal constructive.
  3. Trump and PM Modi discussed progress, may speak again soon.

India-US Trade Deal Update: The United States and India are moving closer to finalising a proposed trade agreement, but a final deal is not expected immediately. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on Thursday (local time) said both countries have identified the main issues that are still unresolved and are working to settle them.

Greer Calls Talks With Piyush Goyal 'Constructive'

Providing an update on trade talks, Greer said his recent discussion with Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal was positive. He said both sides are continuing talks to resolve the remaining differences, which is now in the final phase of negotiations.

"We had a very constructive conversation with Minister Piyush Goyal... We are continually trying to finish the trade deal with India, we are in the short strokes. I think we are towards the end of it. President Trump and Prime Minister Modi had a constructive call yesterday morning," Greer said, as quoted by news agency ANI.

Trump-PM Modi May Speak Again

However, Greer said an agreement should not be expected immediately. “At the same time, I don’t think there is something imminent. But we truly have identified the universe of items that are sticking points, and we are working diligently toward them,” Greer added. He also said US President Donald Trump and PM Narendra Modi had a constructive phone conversation on Wednesday, while indicating that the two leaders could speak again soon to discuss the progress of the trade negotiations.

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“The President and the Prime Minister may have another call very soon on this just to assess progress and where we are,” Greer said. In their phone conversation, PM Modi and Trump had agreed to continue close engagement to strengthen the India-US strategic partnership. The developments come as Goyal is currently in the US for discussions on the proposed India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement.

Piyush Goyal In US

Goyal’s visit, which began on September 29, is scheduled to continue until October 5. Earlier on Thursday, he met Greer on the sidelines of the G20 Trade Ministers’ Meeting in Milwaukee. He said the two discussed efforts to reach an interim agreement that would benefit both countries. Notably, India and the US have been negotiating the proposed trade agreement for several months. However, the two sides have not yet reached a final understanding.

ALSO READ: India-US Trade Deal Talks On Track, No Hurdles In Negotiations: Piyush Goyal Rejects Reports As ‘Baseless And Misleading’

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