'Trade is a priority': Top US official on India deal

"President Trump has made no secret that trade is a priority for the United States. Balanced trade relationships strengthen our bilateral ties and enable both countries to realise their full economic potential," US State Department Spokesperson Tommy Pigott told ANI.

"We expect further meetings on this from the US Trade Representative (USTR) in the near term," he added.

Pigott also praised US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor for his role in strengthening bilateral engagement.

"We are encouraged by the cooperation and dialogue we've seen on so many of these issues. Ambassador Gor's strong relationships with Indian officials reflect the importance both countries place on this strategic partnership and our shared commitment to deepening it for the benefit of our nations," he said.

The remarks come as a US delegation led by its chief trade negotiator is scheduled to visit India from June 1 to June 4 for discussions aimed at finalising the details of an interim trade agreement.

According to an official government statement, the talks will focus on concluding the proposed Interim Agreement while advancing negotiations under the broader India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA).

"It is proposed to finalise the details of the Interim Agreement and take forward negotiations under the broader BTA on issues including market access, non-tariff measures, customs and trade facilitation, investment promotion, and economic security alignment," the statement said.

India and the United States had issued a joint statement on February 7, 2026, agreeing on a framework for an interim trade pact based on reciprocal and mutually beneficial trade. The framework also reaffirmed both sides' commitment to broader negotiations under the proposed BTA.

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As part of the ongoing engagement, an Indian delegation travelled to Washington, D.C., from April 20 to April 23 for in-person discussions with US counterparts.

The upcoming US delegation visit follows US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's four-day trip to India earlier this week.

During delegation-level talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in New Delhi, Rubio described the India-US relationship as one that extends well beyond traditional alliances.

"The United States and India aren't just allies. We are strategic allies, and that is of critical importance," Rubio said, underscoring the growing depth of cooperation between the two countries across multiple sectors and regions.

He noted that while Washington maintains partnerships around the world, its relationship with India stands out for its long-term strategic significance and expanding scope.

Rubio also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the visit. According to officials, the discussions reviewed progress in bilateral cooperation and explored ways to further strengthen collaboration across key sectors.