India, US hold ‘positive’ talks on trade agreement; Trump says 'we will get to a deal'

India and the United States on Thursday concluded another round of negotiations for the proposed Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA).

The Commerce Ministry, in a statement, said that negotiating teams held "constructive and positive" discussions on a wide range of issues covering trade in goods, non-tariff measures, customs and trade facilitation, economic security alignment and other areas of mutual interest.

A delegation from the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), led by its chief negotiator, was in New Delhi from June 1-4 for discussions under the framework agreed upon by the two countries earlier this year.

“The engagements were marked by a spirit of cooperation and pragmatism, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to concluding a mutually beneficial agreement that strengthens bilateral trade and economic ties,” the ministry added.

The negotiations were held under the framework agreed by India and the US in a joint statement issued on February 7, 2026, which envisaged an interim trade arrangement and paved the way for broader negotiations on a bilateral trade agreement.

The latest round of negotiations comes amid uncertainty over the future of US tariff policies following a series of court rulings against President Donald Trump's trade measures.

Trump, however, expressed confidence that Washington and New Delhi would be able to strike a deal.

"We will get to a deal because I like your prime minister a lot. He is a good friend of mine. We get along great, and we are gonna make a deal," Trump told reporters at the Oval Office on Thursday.

The US President also reiterated his criticism of India's tariff regime, saying India had charged "tremendous amounts of tariffs" on American companies.

The trade negotiations have been complicated by developments in the US legal system that have challenged the administration's tariff actions.

After the US Supreme Court ruled against reciprocal tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), the Trump administration shifted to a flat 10 per cent tariff regime for trading partners.

The administration is now examining alternative mechanisms, including tariffs under Section 301 of the US Trade Act of 1974.

Earlier this week, the USTR proposed additional 12.5% tariffs on products from 54 economies, including India, following investigations into what it termed unreasonable acts, policies and practices that burden or restrict US commerce.

The Commerce Ministry said on Wednesday that India remains engaged with the US regarding the proposed Section 301 tariffs and noted that the proposed measures are yet to be finalised.

"The USTR will consider the comments and testimony received before taking a final decision on the proposed measures," the ministry said.