Government sources on Tuesday said Indian and US negotiators have completed all technical work and paperwork required for a proposed bilateral trade deal, signalling that negotiations have effectively concluded at the working level and the process has now moved to political leadership for final decisions.
According to the sources, both sides have resolved all outstanding issues across sectors and remain in active touch as they await leadership-level approval to take the agreement forward. “No strand of the trade negotiations is left to be ironed out,” a senior official said, adding that the negotiators have completed their mandate.
The trade talks, which have been underway for several months, are aimed at addressing long-standing concerns related to tariffs, non-tariff barriers, market access, and regulatory cooperation. India and the US have held multiple rounds of discussions involving senior commerce officials and trade representatives, reflecting renewed momentum in economic engagement between the two countries.
The progress comes amid efforts by both governments to stabilise trade relations following recent tensions over tariffs and reciprocal duties. The US had earlier imposed higher tariffs on certain Indian exports, while India has consistently flagged concerns over market access for its goods and services. Despite these challenges, officials on both sides have described the negotiations as constructive and solution-oriented.
Sources said the agreement seeks to strike a balance between India’s demand for improved access to the US market and Washington’s push for greater entry of American goods, services, and investments into India. Sensitive sectors, including agriculture and manufacturing, were among the areas discussed during the negotiations, officials said.
While the exact contours and timeline of the deal are yet to be formally announced, officials stressed that talks have reached an advanced stage and that only leadership-level approvals remain. “The negotiators have done their part. The next steps depend on political decisions,” a source said.
The push to conclude the US trade deal comes after India finalised negotiations on a free trade agreement with the European Union. Both sides announced the conclusion of negotiations on Tuesday, with the agreement expected to be signed and implemented later this year, positioning India as a growing global hub for skilled talent.
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Published By:
Priyanka Kumari
Published On:
Jan 28, 2026
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