Indian, US officials discuss trade deal in New Delhi meetings

​​​​​​​By Saadet Gokce

ISTANBUL (AA) - Indian and US officials discussed a trade deal in New Delhi earlier this week, according to India's Department of Commerce in a statement on the US social media company X.

Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal and US Deputy Trade Representative Rick Switzer discussed matters on Wednesday that were "related to India-US trade and economic ties, including on the ongoing negotiations for a mutually beneficial Bilateral Trade Agreement," it wrote.

Switzer also met with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, said External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on X.

The two sides exchanged views on "the strong India–U.S. economic and technology partnership, ongoing trade negotiations, and opportunities to boost two-way trade and resilient supply chains," he added.

Switzer is visiting India from Wednesday to Friday.

Washington has imposed a 50% tariff on Indian imports, partly due to its purchase of Russian oil amid the Ukraine war.

Separately, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said Tuesday that India is a "very difficult nut to crack ... but they've been quite forward leaning. The type of offers they've been talking to us about have been the best we've ever received as a country, so I think that's a viable alternative" market.

India and the US had a trade volume estimated at about $128.9 billion in 2024, according to the US Trade Representative website.

Switzer's visit comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin visited India to co-chair the 23rd annual India-Russia summit in New Delhi with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.