India to Resume US Trade Talks Soon

Washington Visit Likely Next Week | Focus on Agri, Auto Sectors

- MPOST BUREAU

An Indian commerce ministry team will soon visit Washington for another round of talks on the proposed trade agreement with the US to iron out differences in sectors, like agriculture and automobiles, a government official said on Thursday.

“We are not differentiating between an interim or the first phase of the bilateral trade agreement. We are negotiating a complete deal. Whatever will be finished, we can package it as an interim deal and for the rest, talks will continue,” the official said. The dates for the US visit have not been finalised yet. However, according to sources, the team is expected to visit Washington next week.

"We are engaged both physically and virtually with the US on the pact," the official, who did not wish to be named, said.

On the timeline of the proposed interim deal, the official said: "One does not know".

Earlier this month, an Indian team led by chief negotiator Rajesh Agrawal returned from Washington after holding talks on the pact between June 26 and July 2.

Agrawal is the special secretary in the Department of Commerce.

India has hardened its position on the US demand for duty concessions on agri and dairy products.

New Delhi has, so far, not given any duty concessions to any of its trading partners in a free trade agreement in the dairy sector.