Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday dismissed reports of a deadlock in the proposed India-US bilateral trade agreement (BTA), calling them “completely false, baseless and misleading,” while asserting that negotiations between the two countries are progressing positively.
Rejecting a news report that claimed India was delaying an early agreement in pursuit of a better deal, Goyal said both countries remain committed to concluding a balanced and commercially meaningful trade pact.
“This news is completely false, baseless and misleading. I had fantastic meetings with USTR Jamieson Greer, when he visited Delhi in June. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to an agreement that is balanced, commercially meaningful, and delivers tangible benefits for businesses, farmers, workers, and consumers in both countries. Our teams remain fully engaged in achieving this objective,” Goyal said in a post on X.
Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal also rejected speculation about any hurdles in the negotiations, saying discussions are progressing within the agreed framework.
Addressing a press conference on India’s June 2026 trade performance, Agrawal said, “We don’t see any challenge in the negotiations, and consultations are progressing in the right direction.”
He noted that the Indian negotiating team visited the United States in May, followed by a visit of the US delegation to New Delhi in June, with both sides continuing discussions under an established framework.
The Commerce Secretary said the framework for the proposed trade agreement has already been finalised and is ready for signing at an appropriate time.
“The India-US framework trade deal is ready. We are ready to sign. The appropriate time is being awaited. Things are getting structured, and we are progressing well,” he said, adding that both countries have maintained a positive approach throughout the negotiations.
Referring to the evolving global trade environment, Agrawal said recent tariff measures adopted by the United States have created uncertainty for several trading partners. However, India continues to engage constructively with the US through ongoing consultations.
“We have joined the consultations, and everything is progressing in the right direction,” he said.
(With agency inputs)
