External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar confirmed that the India-US trade deal is in its final phase. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal also indicated that negotiations are concluding soon.
He noted that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal have also signaled that negotiations are concluding.
Addressing a session of the NDTV World Summit in New Delhi, Jaishankar sounded a note of caution.
"Until something is completely done, it cannot be considered done."
He added that challenges often emerge in the final stages, and negotiating teams are actively working to address them.
The minister refrained from discussing the exact nature of the remaining hurdles publicly.
"If you ask me what those challenges are, I am sorry, I will not talk about them. It is for the negotiators to resolve them."
Earlier this week, Jaishankar held comprehensive talks with Marco Rubio during Rubio's second visit to India within five months.
The meeting occurred amid strain over unpredictable trade moves and strict immigration rules from Washington.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump commented that the agreement is quite close.
Before his meeting in Mumbai, Rubio told reporters that the two nations are very close to a formal deal.
He mentioned that only minor things remain, hoping for positive news soon followed by leader signatures.
Rubio described India as a superpower in petroleum refining.
He suggested expanding the processing of Venezuelan crude oil in Indian facilities.
On Wednesday, Rubio also visited Reliance Industries' Jamnagar refinery.
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