An agenda that has been a matter of constant discussion and a news headline is the impending trade deal between India and United States. The two countries, known to be unofficial allies of each other, though quite individualistic in their stance and approaches.
Once again both the countries have grabbed international media’s attention, as in a recent interaction while speaking on the India-US trade deal, the White House representatives stated US President Donald Trump shares a ‘very good relationship’ with PM Narendra Modi and the trade agreement is nearing completion. The White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt described India as a “strategic ally” in the Indo-Pacific region during a press briefing while addressing a question on the India-US trade agreement.
“Yes, the President said that last week (that the US and India are very close to a trade deal), and it remains true. I just spoke to our Secretary of Commerce about it. He was in the Oval Office with the President. They are finalizing these agreements, and you’ll hear from the President and his trade team very soon when it comes to India,” ANI news agency quoted her as saying.
In addition, responding to a question regarding China’s role in the Indo-Pacific region, Leavitt reiterated, “India remains a very strategic ally in the Asia Pacific and the President has a very good relationship with Prime Minister Modi, and he will continue to have that.”
Her remarks come in the light of Union External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar currently visiting the United States to participate in the QUAD Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. The QUAD, as the name indicates consists of Australia, India, Japan, and the US. This association is focused on promoting free, open and resilient Indo-Pacific development. The alliance began as a coordinated humanitarian response following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.
India-US Trade Talks
On June 26, India and the US had begun a new round of bilateral trade talks aimed at finalizing an early deal before the US imposes country-specific reciprocal tariffs on imports from 57 different countries, including India, starting July 9.
The main goal of this round is to address existing trade disputes and reach an interim agreement that could form the basis for the first phase of a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) by September or October 2025. After this initial phase, both sides are expected to begin negotiations for a full-fledged free trade agreement (FTA) with the aim of doubling bilateral trade to US $500 billion by 2030.
Sources involved in the talks said most of the elements of a preliminary agreement have been deliberated and solved by negotiators, but the final decision now rests with the apex political leadership to resolve a few remaining differences.
Helene Elliott is the senior reporter for News Raise. She covers Science news. She also has a keen interest in photojournalism. Helene holds a nomination for the prestigious Red Smith Award. She is married to author Dennis D’Agostino, a former publicist with the New York Mets.
