New York : India and the United States resumed trade talks here on Tuesday as US Assistant Trade Representative Brendan Lynch met with the Commerce Ministry. The talks come amid a thaw in relations between the two nations.
India’s trade negotiators are led by Rajesh Agrawal, Special Secretary in the Department of Commerce.
Commerce Ministry sources said the negotiators are discussing trade matters at multiple levels and will decide the next course of action after meeting US Chief Negotiator Lynch.
Both sides approach trade issues with a positive mindset. The teams plan to address all pending issues related to the trade deal. Certain matters involve diplomacy, where the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is also engaged.
Lynch’s visit follows positive signals from US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which boosted expectations for a trade deal after days of stalemate.
On September 9, Trump wrote on Truth Social, “I feel certain that there will be no difficulty in coming to a successful conclusion for both of our Great Countries.” He called PM Modi a “great friend” and said he would speak with him.
PM Modi responded, “I am confident that our trade negotiations will pave the way for unlocking the limitless potential of the India-US partnership.” He added that he looks forward to talking with Trump.
US nominee to be ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, told a Senate panel last week that India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal will travel to Washington, DC, to meet US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.
Meanwhile, India narrowed its merchandise trade deficit to $26.49 billion in August from $27.35 billion in July.
Despite global and trade policy uncertainties, Indian exporters performed well, demonstrating that the government’s policy has paid off.
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