New Delhi/Washington: A proposed trade deal between India and the US was not "stuck" and both sides mutually agreed "not to rush" into it, official sources in New Delhi said hours after American president Donald Trump suggested that such a pact may not be sealed during his maiden India visit as he is "saving the big deal" for later. Ahead of his two-day visit, starting from February 24, Trump also told reporters in Washington that India has not treated the US "very well" on the trade front but "I happen to like Prime Minister Modi a lot." Full-scale preparations are afoot in New Delhi, Agra and Ahmedabad to welcome Trump, his wife Melania Trump and a high-level delegation from the US administration.

The first couple of the US will begin their much-anticipated India visit from Ahmedabad, where they will attend "Namaste Trump" event at the newly built Motera Cricket Stadium. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be present at the event. A number of deals including the USD 2.6 billion contract to procure 24 naval helicopters from the US by India could be fructified during Trump's nearly 36 hour-long scheduled visit that is aimed at further invigorating defence, trade and strategic ties, official sources said. India does not expect that Jammu and Kashmir will figure in the talks as the US State Department has already said that it is an issue which should be resolved bilaterally between India and Pakistan, sources noted.