India, U.S. Continue Negotiations Toward Bilateral Trade Agreement, India Says
NEW DELHI — India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry said Friday that discussions with the United States over a potential bilateral trade agreement are ongoing, pushing back against media reports suggesting the talks had been paused.
In a statement, the ministry said there has been no interruption in engagement between the two countries and that negotiations remain active as both sides work toward a deal aimed at strengthening economic cooperation and business opportunities.
“We have noted a media report regarding ongoing trade talks with the US. It is denied that there is any hold off in bilateral engagement. It is reiterated that the two sides remain engaged for a mutually beneficial trade agreement,” the ministry said.
The clarification comes as India and the United States deepen diplomatic and economic engagement across several sectors, including trade, defense, and supply chain cooperation.
Earlier this month, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met United States Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau on the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue 2026 in New Delhi.
Landau visited India from March 3 to 6 to attend the global conference and hold discussions on a range of bilateral issues.
According to the U.S. State Department, the visit focused on strengthening cooperation in areas such as defense, critical minerals, and counternarcotics while also advancing efforts to deepen commercial and economic ties between the two countries.
The talks also aimed to expand market access for American businesses and support a shared vision of a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
The Raisina Dialogue, India’s flagship conference on geopolitics and geo-economics, brought together global leaders, policymakers, industry representatives, and strategic experts to discuss key international issues.
The three-day conference was organized by the Observer Research Foundation in collaboration with India’s Ministry of External Affairs. (Source: IANS)
