India-US trade deal in final stretch, but announcement not imminent: USTR Greer

Negotiations on the India-US bilateral trade agreement are in the final stretch, but a final announcement is not imminent, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on Thursday.

Speaking at the 2026 G20 Trade Ministers Meeting, Greer said the two countries had narrowed down the issues that remain to be resolved and were working on them.

“I think we're toward the end of it,” Greer told ANI, describing the negotiations as being in the “short strokes”, an American expression for the final phase of a task.

Greer also said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump could speak again soon to review the progress made in the negotiations.

Modi-Trump may speak again

“I don't think there's something imminent, but we truly have identified the universe of items that are sticking points, and we're working diligently toward them,” Greer said.

He described PM Modi and President Trump's latest conversation as a “very constructive call” and said the two leaders may speak again shortly to assess where the negotiations stand.

“My sense is that the President and the Prime Minister may have another call very soon on this just to assess progress and where we are,” Greer added.

Greer also spoke about his meeting with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, saying discussions between the two sides were continuing.

“We had a very constructive conversation, Minister Goyal and myself. Our staff is meeting right now, since they're in the country and we're here. We are continually trying to finish the trade deal with India,” he said.

Goyal met Greer on Wednesday on the sidelines of the G20 Trade Ministers' Meeting in Milwaukee.

Goyal seeks early conclusion

Goyal said after the meeting that the two sides had a “productive discussion” towards the early conclusion of a mutually beneficial interim agreement under the India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement.

The meeting came shortly after Modi and Trump spoke on Wednesday, with the two leaders reviewing progress on trade, defence, energy and critical technologies.

India and the US had announced the framework for the first phase of the BTA in February. However, subsequent changes in the US tariff landscape have prolonged the negotiations.

Goyal had said on September 24 that the deal was “done and dusted” and would be executed once the US gives India the right competitive advantage over its rivals in the American market, including China, Bangladesh and ASEAN countries.