“It was decided to intensify efforts to achieve early conclusion of a mutually beneficial trade agreement,” Indian commerce said. After talks with the US for a trade deal formally resumed on Tuesday, the Indian government described the discussions as “positive and forward-looking, covering various aspects of the trade deal”.
A statement by the commerce ministry said a team from the office of the United States Trade Representative, led by chief negotiator Brendan Lynch, visited India on September 16.
India was represented by officials led by special secretary, department of commerce, Rajesh Agarwal. “It was decided to intensify efforts to achieve early conclusion of a mutually beneficial trade agreement,” the ministry statement said.
Talks began in March-April, but have gone through many crests and troughs amid a tariff offensive by the US. Things got back on track — with some hiccups and red lines remaining — after a recent thaw was effected with mutual-admiration posts on social media by President Donald Trump and PM Narendra Modi.
