India-US trade agreement likely before Jul 9: Official

India is seeking duty concessions for sectors like textiles, gems and jewellery

- Press Trust of India

An Indian team has returned from Washington after holding talks with the US on an interim trade pact, which is likely to be finalised before July 9, but discussions will continue as certain issues in the agri and auto sectors still need to be resolved, an official said.

The Indian team is led by chief negotiator Rajesh Agrawal. He is special secretary in the department of commerce.

The official said that the talks are in the last phase and its conclusion is expected to be announced before July 9, which marks the end of the 90-day suspension period of the Trump tariffs imposed on dozens of countries including India.

“Indian team is back from Washington. Negotiations will continue. There are certain issues which need to be resolved in agriculture and auto sectors,” the official said.