US-India Trade Deal In Sight? Jaishankar Says ‘We’re Beyond The Middle Of Negotiations’

Last Updated:July 01, 2025, 13:28 IST

India US Trade Deal : The External Affairs Minister emphasized that US-India relations have steadily strengthened across successive American presidencies.

Jaishankar spoke about the trade deal with US at an interview with Newsweek. (Reuters Image)

India US Trade Deal: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has indicated that a long-anticipated US-India trade deal could be approaching a breakthrough, though final hurdles remain. Speaking to Newsweek, Jaishankar confirmed that both nations are deep in negotiations, signalling cautious optimism but stopping short of a firm commitment.

“We are in the middle — more than the middle — of a trade negotiation. I hope to bring it to a conclusion, but I can’t guarantee it as there is another party involved," Jaishankar said. “We have to find a meeting ground. Watch this space over the next few days."

The External Affairs Minister emphasised that US-India relations have steadily strengthened across successive American presidencies. “Just think about it — five US presidents: Clinton, Bush, Obama, Trump, Biden. At the end of every presidency, India-US relations have been better off than when it began," he noted, reflecting on the trajectory of bilateral ties.

Jaishankar was also candid about the reality that no relationship is ever without friction. Citing the Devyani Khobragade diplomatic dispute during his tenure as ambassador, he said, “At every one of these presidencies, something was a friction point between the two countries. The relationship will never be free of issues."

The United States, too, described India as a “strategic ally" in the Indo-Pacific region, underscoring the strong relationship between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump.

Speaking at a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasised the “very good" personal rapport between the two leaders and noted that the long-anticipated US-India trade deal is nearing finalisation. She added that a formal announcement on the trade agreement is expected soon, indicating a significant step forward in economic ties between the two nations

Emphasising India’s global standpoint, Jaishankar stressed that India is neither anti-West nor aligned against any bloc. “We are a political democracy, a market economy, a futuristic society. We attend G7 meetings, and I’m going from a Quad meeting to BRICS. How many countries can pick up the phone and talk to Russia and Iran?" he asked, highlighting India’s unique diplomatic leverage.

The comments come amid mounting anticipation that Washington and New Delhi could soon finalise a deal aimed at easing trade barriers, strengthening supply chains, and boosting economic cooperation between two of the world’s largest democracies.

Jaishankar Arrives In US For QUAD

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar arrived in Washington, DC on Monday for an official visit to the United States at the invitation of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The visit is centred around participating in the upcoming Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (QFMM) scheduled for July 1, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed in a statement.

The meeting will focus on building upon the agenda discussed during the last QFMM, which was also held in Washington on January 21. According to the MEA, the ministers will hold in-depth discussions on regional and global developments, with a particular emphasis on the Indo-Pacific region.

“They will review the progress on various Quad initiatives in the run-up to the Quad Leaders’ Summit, which India will host," the statement said. The ministers are also expected to discuss new proposals to strengthen the shared vision of a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific.

Before arriving in Washington, Jaishankar visited New York, where he inaugurated an exhibition at the United Nations titled ‘The Human Cost of Terrorism’. The exhibition aimed to highlight the global impact of terrorism and the urgent need to expose and hold accountable states that sponsor terrorism.

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