The India-US bilateral trade deal may be nearing a conclusion — with officials indicating that a fresh round of negotiations “may not be required”. Union Minister Piyush Goyal also stressed the need to safeguard domestic interests during an event on Tuesday — stressing the need for a “fair, equitable and balanced” agreement. The two countries have so far held five rounds of talks and indicated plans to finalise the first tranche of the deal by fall 2025.
“India-US Bilateral trade deal progressing well. BTA with the US will be the most comprehensive, most detailed, and WTO (World Trade Organisation) compliant. Negotiations are being carried out keeping in mind sensitive issues and sensitive sectors and another round of negotiations may not be required,” a government official told ANI.
Union Minister Piyush Goyal also noted on Tuesday that the government remained prepared for every contingency while working towards the deal. He did not specify a clear timeline for the BTA — adding it could “happen tomorrow” or even next year. He had also told ANI earlier this month that talks on the India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement were “going on very well”, but that there are “many sensitive and serious issues” and it would take time.
“We are working for a good trade deal. India is not going to compromise with the interests of farmers, dairy and workers… We are working on a fair equitable and balanced trade deal. We want a fair, equitable and balanced trade deal (with the US). If that happens, it could happen any day, it could happen tomorrow, it may happen next month, it may happen next year… But as a government, we are preparing for everything,” Goyal said during Udyog Samagam 2025.