India-US trade talks: Visiting USTR delegation discusses 'mutually-beneficial' trade pact with commerce ministry

In a development indicating forward movement on India - US bilateral trade talks, a delegation of trade officials from the US Trade Representative (USTR) visited New Delhi between December 9 - 11, and held "productive exchanges" on economic ties and mutually-beneficial trade deal, said sources in commerce ministry.

"The delegation led by Deputy US Trade Representative Ambassador Rick Switzer, visited India from December 9-11, 2025. The visit was Ambassador Switzer’s first to India after assuming his current office," sources pointed out. 

"During the visit, Ambassador Switzer met with Commerce and Industries Minister Piyush Goyal, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal, and other senior Indian officials," sources said.

"The visit served as an opportunity for both sides to have productive exchanges on a wide gamut of items related to India-US trade and economic ties, including the ongoing negotiations for a mutually beneficial India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement," sources said about the visit. 

"Both sides agreed to continue the current purposeful and positive engagements," they pointed out.

It may be noted that amidst the ongoing India - US bilateral trade negotiations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump held a "warm and engaging" telephonic conversation yesterday. 

"Had a very warm and engaging conversation with President Trump. We reviewed the progress in our bilateral relations and discussed regional and international developments. India and the U.S. will continue to work together for global peace, stability and prosperity,” PM Modi said on X yesterday. 

Chief economic advisor V Anantha Nageswaran also said during an interview on Thursday that most of the trade issues between India and the United States of America have been "sorted out", and that he will be surprised if a deal is not struck by March 2026.

The CEA made these remarks in an interview to Bloomberg TV on December 11, 2025. He further said that FY 27 economic outlook has a positive momentum.