India, US step on the gas to seal trade deal

Both sides describe 7-hour meeting as 'positive'

- SHREYA NANDI

India and the United States on Tuesday agreed to intensify efforts to reach an early conclusion of a "mutually beneficial" trade deal, setting aside recent strains in their bilateral relationship.

The announcement from the Indian side followed a seven-hour meeting between the chief negotiators from both countries, at Vanijya Bhawan. The US team was led by Brendan Lynch, assistant US trade representative (USTR) for South and Central Asia, while the Indian delegation was headed by Rajesh Agrawal, special secretary in the commerce department.

"Acknowledging the enduring importance of bilateral trade between India and the US, the discussions were positive and forward looking, covering various aspects of the trade deal. It was decided to intensify efforts to achieve early conclusion of a mutually beneficial trade agreement," the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said in a statement.