22 June,2026 11:04 AM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor. Pic/AFP
India and the United States are set to accelerate discussions on a proposed bilateral trade agreement (BTA) this week, with senior officials from both sides holding a series of meetings aimed at advancing negotiations before a key US tariff deadline next month.
US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor announced that US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer will visit New Delhi for multiple rounds of talks with Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal. The meetings are expected to focus on moving forward discussions on the trade pact and resolving outstanding issues in the proposed agreement.
In a post on social media platform X, Gor said that several sessions had been scheduled between Greer and Goyal to advance the US-India trade deal, signalling renewed momentum in negotiations between the two countries.
Greer's visit comes as India and the US seek to finalise the framework for the first phase of the bilateral trade agreement. The proposed arrangement is expected to serve as an interim pact and lay the groundwork for a broader and more comprehensive trade agreement in the future.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Goyal confirmed that his US counterpart would be arriving in New Delhi for discussions related to the trade deal. The minister indicated that both countries were continuing efforts to bridge differences and move closer to an agreement.
Officials familiar with the negotiations have indicated that the immediate objective is to conclude an interim trade arrangement that could address key market access concerns while establishing a framework for deeper economic cooperation.
Earlier this month, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said discussions between India and the US were expected to concentrate on finalising the framework agreement and advancing talks on the larger trade pact.
Goyal has also expressed confidence that the first phase of the bilateral trade agreement could be completed by the middle of next month. According to the minister, both sides have been working towards resolving pending issues and narrowing differences across several sectors.
The latest ministerial-level discussions follow negotiations held in New Delhi from June 2 to June 4, during which chief negotiators from both countries reviewed progress and explored areas of compromise.
The upcoming discussions carry added significance because of a temporary 10 per cent tariff imposed by the United States on imports from its trading partners. The tariff, introduced earlier this year, is scheduled to expire on July 24.
The additional duty is applied over and above the standard Most Favoured Nation (MFN) tariff rates. Once the temporary measure expires, the US administration is expected to introduce a revised tariff structure, making the coming weeks crucial for both sides.
Trade experts believe that reaching an interim agreement before the deadline could help provide greater certainty for businesses and investors while reducing the risk of new trade barriers.
India and the United States have been pursuing a phased approach to strengthening economic relations, with the proposed bilateral trade agreement viewed as a key component of that strategy. Both countries are seeking to expand trade, improve market access, and deepen investment ties through a structured trade framework.
The upcoming meetings between Greer and Goyal are expected to play an important role in determining the pace of negotiations as New Delhi and Washington work towards a comprehensive trade partnership in the months ahead.
(With inputs from IANS)
