By Sama Marwan,
The spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs announced that India and the United States are preparing to negotiate a bilateral trade agreement, which could significantly boost trade exchange between the two countries.
According to the ANI news agency, ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated in a press briefing that both governments are working towards advancing discussions on a bilateral trade agreement across multiple sectors. He emphasized that the objective is to enhance and deepen trade in goods and services, improve market access, reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers, and strengthen supply chain integration between the two nations.
The spokesperson recalled that during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the U.S. in February, both sides announced plans to negotiate a trade agreement. He noted that India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry recently visited the U.S. and met with counterparts to discuss the matter, highlighting that a key focus of the agreement is deeper integration in supply chains. The deal, he explained, could pave the way for increased trade in goods and services by reducing trade barriers and expanding market access, benefiting both economies.
As negotiations progress, the spokesperson noted that India is likely to push for greater market access for Indian goods and services, while the U.S. may seek to increase its agricultural exports to India. He added that the outcome of these negotiations will be closely monitored, as it could shape the trajectory of India-U.S. trade relations for years to come.
