New Delhi [India], December 8 (ANI): The new US Deputy Ambassador for Trade, Rick Switzer, will visit India on December 10 and 11, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed on Monday. During the visit, Switzer will familiarize himself with India’s trade landscape and meet senior government officials, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.
The visit comes amid ongoing India-US discussions aimed at concluding a fair, balanced, and mutually beneficial multi-sectoral Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA). Several rounds of talks have already taken place, although the original target of completing the first tranche by fall 2025 was delayed due to new developments in US trade policy, including tariffs imposed on Indian goods.
On November 28, Commerce Secretary Agarwal expressed optimism at the FICCI Annual General Meeting, noting expectations that a solution could be reached within the calendar year. The BTA aims to more than double bilateral trade from the current USD 191 billion to USD 500 billion by 2030. Talks were initially announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Washington earlier this year.
India has signed 14 Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and six Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs) with trading partners and continues negotiations with several countries, including the European Union, to expand its global trade network. The ongoing BTA discussions with the US remain a key focus of bilateral economic engagement.
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