India and the United States are now in the final stages of sealing an interim bilateral trade agreement, signaling a major step forward in economic ties between the two countries. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed that both sides have made significant progress and are close to concluding the deal.
The development comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France. Trade discussions were a key focus during their meeting, with both leaders asking officials to speed up the process.
According to Misri, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer is expected to visit India next week to push the talks further. This visit is likely to play a crucial role in finalising the agreement.
What did PM Modi and Trump say about the deal?
After the meeting, Trump said that India and the US are “very close” to finalising the long-awaited agreement. He also described PM Modi as “one of the toughest” negotiators, highlighting the intensity of the discussions. Trump added that both countries are actively working on multiple areas of cooperation, including trade and investment.
He also praised PM Modi’s efforts to boost Indian investments in the US, saying that India is spending heavily and contributing to economic growth there.
Why is this trade deal important?
The interim agreement follows nearly a year of negotiations, with an initial understanding reached earlier this year. The deal is expected to reduce trade tensions, improve market access, and strengthen economic cooperation between the two nations.
Misri acknowledged that there have been ups and downs in India-US relations, but said such challenges are normal and are being handled at the leadership level.
What about India’s trade ties with the UK?
In a parallel development, India is also set to strengthen its economic relationship with the United Kingdom. The India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement will come into effect on July 15. PM Modi called it a historic milestone that will boost trade and investment between the two countries.
First published on: Jun 19, 2026 06:39 AM IST
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