Remaining Hurdles Minimal as US and India Edge Toward Trade Accord

A U.S. senior official told reporters that the trade accord with India is “about 98‑99% complete,” indicating that the bulk of the negotiation work is finished. The comment was made during a press briefing by the State Department, highlighting that the most significant barriers have already been cleared. Ongoing discussions involve top‑level leaders, including President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as well as trade representatives such as U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai and Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal. The only remaining issues relate to legal adjustments after the repeal of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which forced negotiators to revisit certain provisions. Nevertheless, officials expressed optimism that the final gaps will be resolved quickly, paving the way for a formal signing later this year.