Donald Trump hints at major US-India trade pact progress

The United States is “going to open up India,” he said, terming the anticipated trade pact a ‘very big one’ that could open up new economic opportunities between the two nations.

"Everybody wants to make a deal and have a part of it. Remember a few months ago, the press was saying, 'You really have anybody of any interest? Well, we just signed with China yesterday. We are having some great deals. We have one coming up, maybe with India. Very big one. Where we're going to open up India, in the China deal, we are starting to open up China," he said.

An Indian delegation, led by chief negotiator Rajesh Agarwal, is in Washington, D.C., to discuss narrowing gaps in the proposed bilateral agreement.

The deal is expected to cover digital trade, tariffs, market access, pharmaceuticals, electronics, agriculture and defence-related supply chains.

Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal has reiterated that India will not settle for any agreement that undermines its economic or strategic interests.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)