US-India Trade Deal Likely Nears Breakthrough as Jaishankar Signals Progress

 External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has signalled that the long-anticipated trade agreement between India and the United States is edging closer to finalisation, though he cautioned that certain hurdles remain. In an interview with Newsweek, Jaishankar expressed cautious optimism, underscoring the complexity of negotiations but suggesting that both sides are nearing consensus.

“We are in the middle — more than the middle — of a trade negotiation. I hope to bring it to a conclusion, but I can’t guarantee it, as there is another party involved," Jaishankar remarked. “We have to find common ground. Watch this space over the next few days.”

The minister also reflected on the steady progression of India-US ties across successive American administrations, highlighting the enduring bipartisan support for the relationship. “Just think about it — five US presidents: Clinton, Bush, Obama, Trump, Biden. At the end of every presidency, India-US relations have been better off than when it began,” Jaishankar observed.

He was equally candid about the inevitability of friction in any major diplomatic relationship, citing the 2013 Devyani Khobragade diplomatic row as an example. “There’s never been a period without issues. Every administration has had friction points. The relationship will never be entirely free of challenges,” he stated.

Meanwhile, the White House echoed optimism about the strengthening of US-India ties. Speaking at a press briefing, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described the personal rapport between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump as “very good” and confirmed that a formal announcement on the trade agreement is expected soon.

The agreement is expected to address key economic barriers, enhance supply chain resilience, and deepen cooperation between the world’s two largest democracies at a time of global economic uncertainty.

India’s Independent Global Posture

Jaishankar also reiterated India’s independent foreign policy approach, rejecting perceptions that New Delhi is aligned against any global bloc. “We are a political democracy, a market economy, a futuristic society. We engage with G7, go from Quad meetings to BRICS summits. How many countries can pick up the phone and talk to both Russia and Iran?” Jaishankar pointed out, highlighting India’s unique diplomatic leverage.

Jaishankar in the US for Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting

Jaishankar’s remarks come during his ongoing official visit to the United States, where he is attending the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (QFMM) scheduled for July 1 in Washington, DC. The visit, at the invitation of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, aims to advance cooperation under the Quad framework, with a focus on Indo-Pacific security, emerging technologies, and supply chain diversification.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the meeting will build upon discussions from the previous QFMM, held in January. The ministers will assess progress on key Quad initiatives and explore new proposals to promote a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific. The dialogue will also serve as a preparatory step toward the upcoming Quad Leaders’ Summit, which India is set to host.

Prior to arriving in Washington, Jaishankar visited New York, where he inaugurated the United Nations exhibition, The Human Cost of Terrorism. The exhibition, curated by India, draws attention to the global toll of terrorism and underscores the urgent need for accountability for state sponsors of terror.

As New Delhi and Washington edge closer to a comprehensive trade agreement, Jaishankar’s visit reflects the broader trajectory of India’s deepening global engagements, balancing strategic autonomy with expanded cooperation among key international partners.