New Delhi [India] December 11 (ANI): India and the United States reported significant progress in their ongoing negotiations toward a bilateral trade agreement, with senior officials from both sides expressing optimism after a series of high-level meetings held this week in Mumbai and New Delhi.
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said discussions have been “substantive” and that five rounds of negotiations have already taken place. Speaking to the media in Mumbai, Goyal emphasized that a trade deal must benefit both sides and should not be rushed under artificial deadlines. He noted that the latest visit was not a formal negotiating round but an opportunity to engage with Rick Switzer, the newly appointed Deputy U.S. Trade Representative, who assumed office three months ago.
“We’ve had very good substantive discussions,” Goyal said. “A deal is only done when both sides stand to benefit. We should never negotiate with deadlines because you tend to make mistakes then.”
Reacting to reported remarks by USTR Jamieson Greer claiming the U.S. received its “best-ever” trade deal from India, Goyal responded that such satisfaction was “very much welcome,” adding that if the USTR was indeed pleased, “they should be signing on the dotted line.”
On Wednesday, Goyal had also expressed optimism during an interaction at the Rajasthani Pravasi Divas, noting that a U.S. delegation had been in India since Tuesday and that “many dots have been connected” in recent discussions.
According to Commerce Ministry sources, Switzer’s December 9–11 visit facilitated wide-ranging exchanges on trade and economic issues, including progress on the bilateral trade agreement. Both sides agreed to continue the “purposeful and positive” momentum.
During the visit, Switzer held meetings with Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, and other senior officials. The Department of Commerce said Agrawal and Switzer reviewed key elements of India-U.S. trade relations and ongoing negotiations. The Ministry of External Affairs highlighted that Misri and Switzer discussed economic and technology partnerships, trade opportunities, and supply chain resilience.
Officials on both sides reiterated their commitment to maintain constructive engagement as negotiations advance toward a mutually beneficial agreement. (ANI)
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