Modi and Trump Push for Faster India-US Trade Deal Negotiations

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump have directed their respective officials to accelerate discussions on a bilateral trade agreement, according to Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. The announcement was made following a meeting between the two leaders on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Evian on Wednesday. Misri also confirmed that the US Trade Representative (USTR) is scheduled to visit India next week to advance the negotiations.

The trade deal was a key focus during the meeting, as both sides aim to bring greater certainty to their trade relationship, which has faced challenges over the past year. Misri highlighted that the agreement has been a source of uncertainty, making it critical to move forward swiftly.

This meeting marked the first interaction between Modi and Trump in 16 months, as neither leader had visited the other’s country since February 2025, when Modi last traveled to Washington. Misri described the discussions as taking place in a "good atmosphere," with all significant issues on their agenda addressed.

The bilateral relationship had experienced strain last year after the US imposed 50% tariffs on Indian exports. While both countries announced a framework for a trade deal in February, negotiations have since stalled due to disagreements over tariffs and market access. The latest meeting is seen as an effort to restore normalcy to the partnership.

Misri also addressed the limited scope of the discussions, noting that the brief meeting was not structured to cover a wide range of topics such as Pakistan and cross-border terrorism. He emphasized that India’s positions on these issues are well known to its American counterparts.