India Hopes for Trade Fair and Square with US

After Trump's breakthrough deal with China, nation eyeing to wrap 1st phase of deal in July

- DIPAK MONDAL @New Delhi

EVEN as India is racing against time to clinch a trade deal with the US before expiry of the July 9 deadline, when the 90-day exemption period for implementation of reciprocal tariff gets over, sources say that the first phase of the deal would only address the low-hanging fruits.

"The trade talks will be in multiple phases, but the first phase should end before July 9," said an anonymous government source.

With US president Donald Trump announcing a deal with China on Wednesday, India would be in a hurry to conclude the first phase before July 9. The US has also finalized a trade deal with the UK.