India, US Reaffirm Commitment to Trade Deal After Four Days of Talks in New Delhi

India and the United States on Thursday reaffirmed their commitment to concluding a bilateral trade agreement after a fresh round of negotiations in New Delhi, with both sides describing the discussions as constructive and positive.

According to a government statement, a delegation from the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), led by the US chief negotiator, visited India from June 1 to 4 to advance talks on the proposed trade pact. The negotiations are seen as bringing the two countries closer to an interim agreement aimed at strengthening economic ties.

“The engagements were marked by a spirit of cooperation and pragmatism, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to concluding a mutually beneficial agreement that strengthens bilateral trade and economic ties,” the statement said.

During the four-day discussions, negotiators addressed a range of issues, including trade in goods, non-tariff barriers, customs and trade facilitation, economic security alignment, and other areas of mutual interest.

The talks come against the backdrop of a new US trade action targeting 60 economies, including India, over concerns related to imports produced with forced labour.

In a statement issued earlier this week, the USTR said it had determined under Section 301 of the US Trade Act of 1974 that the policies and practices of the identified economies are “unreasonable and burden or restrict US commerce,” making them subject to potential trade action under US law.

India is among 54 economies cited by Washington for failing to impose and effectively enforce prohibitions on imports made with forced labour. The list also includes major US trading partners such as China, Japan, Australia, Bangladesh, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Singapore.

“The failure of our most important trading partners to address the importation of goods made with forced labor is unacceptable. This creates a dynamic where American workers are forced to compete globally on an unlevel playing field,” US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer said.

Despite the emerging trade friction, both New Delhi and Washington appear keen to maintain momentum in negotiations, underscoring the strategic and economic importance of deepening bilateral trade relations.