India and the United States are moving closer to finalising a long-pending trade agreement, with both sides reporting strong progress. A senior US official told ANI that the latest round of discussions brought “many positive developments” as the Trump administration softened its earlier stance on India’s Russian oil purchases.
The official said Washington is working with New Delhi on two major areas. The first is a reciprocal trade deal that aims to expand market access and resolve long-standing issues. These issues include tariffs on US agricultural and industrial products, India’s interest in restored trade preferences, and better opportunities for Indian service professionals in the US.
The second focus is India’s Russian oil imports. The US has raised concerns about these purchases, while India maintains that its energy decisions protect national interests and shield consumers from price shocks. The official noted that recent market trends show improvement.
Both sides expect talks to continue at an encouraging pace. The official added that negotiators still have significant work ahead but could deliver results before the end of the year.
Bilateral trade between India and the US reached about USD 190 billion in 2024, and both countries plan to boost this further.
