India-US Trade Deal Nears Finish Line: ‘90% Work Done,’ Only Final Issues Left

New Delhi: The proposed India-US trade deal appears to be nearing the final stage, with a senior US State Department official saying that around 90 percent of the work has been completed and only a few outstanding issues remain.

Speaking in response to a question from PTI about when the agreement could be signed, the US official said, “Stay tuned,” adding that the remaining details are being worked out and that an announcement could come soon.

The official said the agreement could take India-US relations to a new level, particularly by addressing trade issues that have remained a major challenge in bilateral ties for decades.

‘Only Final Details Left,’ Says US Official
According to the official, most of the negotiations have been completed, with the two sides now working through a limited number of final details. The official also described the potential agreement as a significant new dimension in the India-US relationship, saying progress on trade could strengthen broader bilateral ties.

Piyush Goyal Signals Negotiations Near Completion
India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has also indicated that negotiations with the US are close to completion. Speaking at an event organised by the Public Affairs Forum of India in New Delhi, Goyal said India has concluded nine free trade agreements, while negotiations with the US are “nearly complete.”

He said the focus is now on ensuring that India secures the right benefits from the agreement so it can be implemented quickly. India and the US had announced the framework for the first phase of a bilateral trade agreement in February. However, changes in US tariff policies led to further negotiations between the two countries. Goyal also said India’s trade agreements would provide preferential access to markets accounting for around 75 percent of global GDP.

Modi’s December US Visit Adds to High-Level Engagement
The trade negotiations come amid continued high-level engagement between New Delhi and Washington. The US official said Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to visit India in October, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to travel to the US in December for the G20 summit in Florida.

The official also pointed to continued cooperation among the Quad countries, noting that their foreign ministers are scheduled to meet for the third time this year. With most of the trade agreement reportedly completed, attention is now focused on the remaining issues—and when India and the US will announce the final breakthrough.