India-US trade talks: Piyush Goyal pushes for early interim deal; US trade chief says sticking points remain

The two countries are continuing discussions as India seeks terms that allow its exporters to remain competitive in the US market, while Washington pursues its broader trade and tariff objectives.

India and the United States are pushing to advance negotiations on an interim trade agreement, with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal seeking its early conclusion in talks with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. However, Greer said the deal is not imminent, signalling that key sticking points

Goyal met Greer on Wednesday on the sidelines of the G20 Trade Ministers' Meeting in Milwaukee, where the two officials discussed efforts to reach an agreement under the broader India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA). Goyal described the talks as “productive” and said both sides discussed an early conclusion of a “mutually beneficial” interim agreement.

The meeting came on the same day that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump held a telephone conversation covering bilateral cooperation in trade, defence, energy and critical technologies, among other areas.

What Goyal said after meeting US trade chief

Sharing details of his meeting with Greer on X, Goyal said the discussions focused on concluding the interim agreement under the India-US BTA.

“Had a productive discussion with USTR Greer towards early conclusion of a mutually beneficial interim agreement under the India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement,” Goyal said.

He added that the two officials also exchanged views on deliberations at the G20 meeting under the US presidency of the grouping.

Goyal's US visit comes as New Delhi and Washington continue negotiations over the first phase of their broader trade agreement. India and the US had announced a framework for an interim agreement in February 2026.

India-US trade deal not imminent, says US Trade Representative Greer

A trade agreement between India and the United States is still being negotiated and is not imminent, Greer said on Thursday, even as he described recent discussions with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal as constructive.

Greer said the Trump administration was continuing to work with India to finalise a bilateral trade agreement, but indicated that differences between the two sides still needed to be resolved.

“I don't think there's something imminent, but we truly have identified the universe of items that are sticking points. We're working diligently toward them,” Greer said at the G20 Trade Ministers' meeting in Milwaukee.

The comments came a day after Goyal said he had a “productive discussion” with Greer on efforts toward an early conclusion of a “mutually beneficial” interim agreement under the India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA).

Goyal met Greer on the sidelines of the G20 Trade Ministers' meeting in Milwaukee, where the US is hosting the ministerial gathering. The meeting is taking place on September 30 and October 1.

Why the interim trade deal matters

The February framework was intended to provide the foundation for the first phase of the wider BTA negotiations, including additional market-access commitments and more resilient supply chains.

However, subsequent changes in the US tariff landscape have complicated the negotiations. The two sides have continued to work through differences even as Washington has introduced additional tariff measures affecting India.

The Indian government has been seeking an agreement that provides greater market access for Indian exporters while ensuring competitive conditions for Indian products in the US market.

Goyal said on September 24 that the trade pact was “done and dusted” but would be executed once the US provides India with the right competitive advantage over rival exporters, including countries in ASEAN, China and Bangladesh.

PM Modi-Trump call adds fresh focus on trade

The Goyal-Greer meeting followed a phone conversation between PM Modi and Trump in which the two leaders reviewed progress in India-US cooperation.

According to PM's Modi's social media post, the discussion covered trade, defence, energy and critical technologies. The leaders also exchanged views on regional and international issues and agreed to maintain close engagement on the broader India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.

The timing of the two conversations puts trade negotiations at the centre of the latest high-level engagement between New Delhi and Washington.

(With Reuters inputs)

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