‘We Are At Last Stretch’: EAM Jaishankar Says India-US Trade Deal Could Be Signed Soon

Last Updated:November 14, 2026, 4:44 PM IST

EAM Jaishankar said that most of the pending issues are “not so much at our end”, indicating that more changes have been made on the US side.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar (File photo)

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar said on Saturday that the proposed US-India trade deal could be signed soon, as both sides have resolved most of the issues related to the pact.

“The hope is that we should close it out soon. It’s always the case that in that last period, everybody’s impatient,” Jaishankar said in response to a question on the negotiations for the trade pact, PTI reported.

Most Pending Issues Resolved, Says Jaishankar

The Minister’s remarks come a month ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s likely visit to the US for the G20 Summit, on the sidelines of which he and President Donald Trump may meet to review the broader trajectory of bilateral ties and progress on the trade pact.

Speaking at an interactive session during the HT Leadership Summit, Jaishankar said the negotiations are nearing the “finishing line”. He added that most of the pending issues are “not so much at our end”, indicating that more changes have been made on the US side.

“Well, it’s certainly our hope, and in many ways anticipation that we are at the last stretch. That’s not a secret,” he said responding to a question on the negotiations for the trade pact.

PM Modi-Trump Meeting May Set Stage For Trade Deal

There has been speculation that India and the US could announce the trade agreement after PM Modi and Trump meet on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Miami on December 14 and 15. Jaishankar said most of the issues concerning the proposed pact had been resolved, with only a few matters left to be addressed. “There is the last stretch of issues and in many cases these concerns are not so much at our end, because the changes have been more at the American end than our end.”

Last month, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had indicated progress in the negotiations, saying during his visit to Mumbai that the two countries were very close to finalising the trade agreement.

India Seeks Comparative Tariff Advantage Over Peers

India is seeking favourable tariff terms for its exports to the US compared with those offered to competing economies. Jaishankar said New Delhi wants an agreement that provides a level playing field while giving Indian exporters a comparative advantage.

“For us the key is that we want a trade deal which is beneficial, it is balanced and which would give us a comparative advantage over groups of comparable economies,” Jaishankar said. “That is really what we are looking for and that is really our expectation of where we would be when the trade deal is done.” he added.

Further, Washington has assured New Delhi of a comparative tariff advantage over its competitors under the proposed pact. “The US has assured India of a comparative tariff advantage over its competitors in the trade deal. We will have to see how the tariff framework unfolds,” news agency ANI quoted a senior government official as saying.

India and the US have been negotiating the proposed pact since early 2025. The agreement aims to address differences over tariffs, remove non-tariff barriers and improve market access for businesses in both countries.

Quick Answers

Powered by

Ask News18

What did External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar say about the status of the India-US trade deal?

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stated that the proposed US-India trade agreement is in its “last stretch” and nearing the “finishing line” as both sides have resolved most of the pending issues, with changes primarily made on the American end.

When and where might Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump discuss the trade agreement?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump could potentially meet on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Miami on December 14 and 15 to review bilateral ties and progress on the trade pact.

What are the main objectives of the India-US trade negotiations initiated since early 2025?

The negotiations aim to address differences over tariffs, remove non-tariff barriers, improve market access for businesses, and secure favorable tariff terms that provide a level playing field and comparative advantage for Indian exporters.

Powered by

Ask News18

About the Author

Manisha RoySenior Sub-Editor

Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com, with over 7 years of experience in journalism. She covers politics and a wide range of hard news, with a keen interest in national and international d…Read More

Read More