India–US trade talks conclude in Delhi. Goyal urges US to sign FTA if satisfied, aiming to double bilateral trade to $500B by 2030.

India–US trade ; Amid ongoing trade tensions, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal stated  that the United States should proceed with signing the free trade agreement with India based on the agreed terms, provided the Donald Trump administration is satisfied with New Delhi’s proposals. He was replying to remarks made by US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Washington, who characterized India’s proposal as the “best ever” received by the United States.

He acknowledged the assessment but refrained from revealing the details of India’s proposal. He also declined to specify any timeframe for the finalization of the long-debated free trade agreement between the two countries. His happiness is most sincerely appreciated. And I believe that if they are truly satisfied, they should be proceeding to sign the agreements, Goyal stated.

The minister’s remarks were made as India and the United States concluded two days of trade negotiations in New Delhi. According to sources from the commerce ministry cited by PTI, both parties assessed the progress of the bilateral trade agreement and discussed perspectives on market access, regulatory matters, and investment frameworks.

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He stated that five sessions of negotiations have occurred to date and emphasized that the current visit of US Deputy Trade Representative Rick Switzer is not focused on negotiations. Switzer’s visit, the first since assuming office three months prior, aims to foster familiarity and enhance collaborative relationships, Goyal stated, characterizing his discussions with the visiting official as “substantive”.

Two-Day Trade Negotiations Conclude in Delhi

As the discussions concluded in New Delhi, the officials stated that the talks were “purposeful and constructive,” and the momentum demonstrated the commitment of both governments to bridge differences that have hindered negotiations in recent years. The distinguished US delegation, headed by Switzer, met with Goyal, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal, and senior officials from various ministries. Indian officials stated that the visit served to strengthen the political guidance from leadership to expedite the negotiations.

India and the United States are presently in the process of finalizing the initial phase of the trade agreement in accordance with directives issued by their respective leaders earlier this year. Six rounds of negotiations have been conducted to date. The initial package is anticipated to address tariff rationalization, service access, digital trade, and several longstanding issues that have influenced India–US commercial relations.

Prime Minister Modi and President Trump Discuss Trade and Strategic Relations

As tensions over tariffs persist between the two nations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump engaged in a telephone discussion on Thursday. The two leaders assessed the current state of the Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership and deliberated on areas of alignment in trade and regional collaboration.

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Sharing an update regarding the contact, Prime Minister Modi stated on X: “Had a very warm and engaging conversation with President Trump.” We examined the advancement of our bilateral relations and deliberated on regional and international developments.

He stated that India and the United States “will persist in their collaboration for global peace, stability, and prosperity.”

The trade agreement involves significant implications for both nations. Officials anticipate that it will contribute to increasing bilateral trade to USD 500 billion by 2030—more than doubling the current figure of USD 191 billion. The United States remains India’s largest trading partner, a status it has maintained for four consecutive years, with bilateral trade reaching USD 131.84 billion in 2024–25. Of that, India contributed USD 86.5 billion in exports.