‘We are in the final stages’: India-US trade deal nears conclusion, says foreign minister Vikram Misri | Today’s news
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said negotiations on an Interim Free Trade Agreement between India and the United States have entered the final phase, with considerable progress already being made.
“We have already made significant progress with the United States in concluding an interim free trade agreement. We are in the final stages of concluding that agreement,” he said.
He added that US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer is expected to visit India next week to further advance negotiations.
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Negotiations on an Interim Free Trade Agreement between India and the US have entered their final phase, with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announcing significant progress.
The trade agreement aims to resolve tariff disputes and expand market access, thereby reducing uncertainty and strengthening economic cooperation between India and the US.
The two leaders ordered their negotiators to speed up the completion of the trade deal during meetings held on the sidelines of the G7 summit.
Yes, ensuring maritime security and freedom of navigation is essential, as Prime Minister Modi has emphasized in discussions regarding the trade deal and regional stability.
Jamieson Greer is expected to visit India to advance negotiations on an interim trade deal and facilitate its conclusion.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump, during a meeting on the sidelines of the G7 summit, tasked negotiators to conclude a proposed trade deal as soon as possible, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said.
“Some important and urgent issues needed to be discussed yesterday, especially the trade agreement,” Misri said, adding that the talks were aimed at reducing “a certain level of uncertainty over the last year or so between the two countries”.
He stressed the need for clarity going forward, saying: “It was important that we moved towards some certainty on these issues.
The store also featured in Modi’s separate meetings with other global leaders, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and European Union representatives Antonio Costa and Ursula von der Leyen.
The West Asian Crisis and India’s Diplomatic Engagement
Misri said the evolving situation in West Asia is another major topic during G7 outreach discussions and bilateral meetings, with India calling for stability and peace in the region.
“Prime Minister Modi expressed India’s desire to achieve lasting peace and security in West Asia,” he said.
He also noted that India was in close contact with the stakeholders involved in the conflict, adding, “We remain in very close contact with all these partners.
India welcomes US-Iran understanding
Referring to the US-Iran agreement on cessation of hostilities, Misri said India welcomes the development and hopes for lasting stability.
“India has welcomed the developments brought about through the agreement reached between the US and Iran and hopes that peace and stability will soon return to the region,” he said.
Emphasis on maritime security and trade routes
Misri reiterated India’s longstanding stance on freedom of navigation and uninterrupted global trade flows, especially through key waterways.
India, he said, had consistently emphasized “the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation and unrestricted trade through international waterways in the region”.
Read also | Trump says the US and India are “very close” to a trade deal and calls Modi a “tough negotiator”.
Prime Minister Modi flagged the safety of Indian sailors
The foreign minister highlighted Prime Minister Modi’s emphasis on maritime security, especially for Indian seafarers who play a major role in global shipping.
“He noted how hundreds of thousands of Indian seafarers are essentially providing a global public good,” Misri said.
He added that their security “should be a common concern of the global community”, something Modi has raised in both G7 meetings and bilateral meetings.
India calls for diplomacy in regional conflicts
Misri said India continues to advocate dialogue and diplomacy as the preferred route to conflict resolution.
“India has always advocated the path of dialogue and diplomacy to settle conflicts like these,” he said.
He added that India remains open to contributing to peace efforts, noting, “We have also always expressed our readiness to contribute in any way.”
Expectations of lasting peace in West Asia
Looking ahead, Misri expressed optimism that an understanding between the US and Iran could lead to lasting peace in the region.
“India expects the US-Iran peace deal to lead to lasting peace and stability in West Asia,” he said.
Read also | Father of Indian sailor killed in US attack appeals to PM Modi
