External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar has said that negotiations on the proposed India-US trade agreement are approaching their final stage, with most outstanding issues already resolved.
Speaking at the HT Leadership Summit 2026 in New Delhi on Saturday, Jaishankar said that both countries had made considerable progress in the negotiations and that only a few issues remained to be addressed.
Editorial Insight
Key Highlights
Important points readers should notice.
India-US trade negotiations have reached their final stage.
Most outstanding issues have been resolved.
A few issues remain, with several concerns on the American side.
India is seeking a balanced and mutually beneficial trade agreement.
Jaishankar expressed hope for an early conclusion without specifying a deadline.
He indicated that many of the remaining concerns were related to developments on the American side rather than India. He also expressed hope that the two countries would conclude the negotiations soon, while refraining from setting a specific timeline.
Jaishankar explained that the negotiations had involved detailed discussions on individual tariff lines, a process that required considerable time and careful consideration.
Emphasising India's priorities, he said the country was seeking a trade agreement that would be beneficial, balanced and provide Indian goods with a comparative advantage over those of comparable economies.
Editorial Analysis
Why This Matters
The proposed trade agreement could strengthen economic cooperation between India and the United States, improve market access and create opportunities for businesses in both countries.
The proposed agreement is expected to strengthen economic and trade relations between India and the United States. However, negotiations are still underway, and the agreement has not yet been formally concluded.
