India-US trade deal: Goyal seeks early interim deal in talks with US trade chief | Today’s news
India and the United States stepped up efforts to reach an interim trade deal, with Commerce and Industry Secretary Piyush Goyal holding a meeting with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Milwaukee.
Goyal met Greer on Wednesday on the sidelines of the G20 trade ministers’ meeting, where the two leaders discussed efforts to reach an agreement under the broader India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA). Describing the talks as “productive”, Goyal said the two sides discussed the early conclusion of a “mutually beneficial” interim agreement.
The meeting took place on the same day Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump held a phone call on bilateral cooperation in trade, defence, energy and critical technology, among others.
What Goyal said after meeting the US trade chief
Sharing details of his meeting with Greer at X, Goyal said the discussions focused on concluding an interim agreement under the Indo-US BTA.
“He had a productive discussion with USTR Greer on the early conclusion of a mutually beneficial interim agreement under the India-US bilateral trade agreement,” Goyal said.
He added that the two leaders also exchanged views on the negotiations at the G20 meeting under the US presidency of the grouping.
Goyal’s US visit comes as New Delhi and Washington continue to negotiate the first phase of their broader trade deal. India and the US announced the framework for an interim agreement in February 2026.
A trade deal between India and the US is not in danger, says US Trade Representative Greer
A trade deal between India and the United States is still being negotiated and not in jeopardy, Greer said on Thursday, though he described recent discussions with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal as constructive.
Greer said the Trump administration continues to work with India to finalize a bilateral trade deal, but indicated that differences between the two sides still need to be resolved.
“I don’t think there’s anything immediate, but we’ve really identified a universe of items that are problematic. We’re working diligently on them,” Greer said at a meeting of G20 trade ministers in Milwaukee.
The comments came a day after Goyal said he had a “productive discussion” with Greer on efforts to quickly conclude a “mutually beneficial” interim agreement under the India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA).
Goyal met Greer on the sidelines of the G20 trade ministers’ meeting in Milwaukee, where the US is hosting a ministerial meeting. The meeting takes place on September 30 and October 1.
Why the Interim Trade Agreement Matters
The February framework was intended to provide the basis for the first phase of broader BTA negotiations, including additional commitments on market access and more resilient supply chains.
However, subsequent changes in the US customs environment complicated the negotiations. The two sides continued to settle disputes even as Washington imposed additional tariff measures on India.
The Indian government is seeking an agreement that will provide better market access for Indian exporters while ensuring a competitive playing field for Indian products in the US market.
Goyal said on September 24 that the trade pact was “done and dusted” but would be implemented once the US gives India the right competitive edge over rival exporters, including ASEAN countries, China and Bangladesh.
PM Modi-Trump call adds new focus on trade
The Goyal-Greer meeting followed a telephonic conversation between Prime Minister Modi and Trump in which the two leaders reviewed progress in India-US cooperation.
According to PM Modi’s social media post, the discussion covered trade, defence, energy and critical technologies. The leaders also exchanged views on regional and international issues and agreed to continue working closely on the broader India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.
The timing of the two talks puts trade talks at the center of the latest high-level talks between Delhi and Washington.
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