Trade discussions between India and the United States are continuing to gain traction, with industry leaders expressing growing optimism about the prospects of a bilateral trade agreement. The positive outlook emerged during the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum’s (USISPF) IX Annual Leadership Summit in Washington, where senior executives met privately with US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer to review the progress of ongoing negotiations.
The meeting came shortly after Ambassador Greer concluded his visit to India, where he held discussions with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal. Those talks centered on creating a balanced bilateral trade agreement while also exploring the possibility of an interim arrangement that aligns with the joint statement released by both nations on February 6, 2026.
According to USISPF, the roundtable covered several priority areas that are expected to shape the future agreement. Participants discussed expanding market access, strengthening digital trade, improving supply chain resilience, and reducing non-tariff barriers that often affect cross-border business operations. Business leaders viewed these issues as essential to creating a stronger and more efficient trade relationship between the two countries.
The organization also praised the negotiating teams from both governments for the progress achieved over the past several months. It noted that companies operating in both markets remain hopeful that the agreement will support the shared ambition of increasing bilateral trade to $500 billion, a target outlined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump under the “Mission 500” initiative.
USISPF reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the negotiations and emphasized the importance of reaching an agreement that delivers meaningful commercial benefits while maintaining a fair balance for both sides. The forum described the current phase of discussions as a defining period in the expanding strategic and economic partnership between India and the United States.
Mukesh Aghi, President and CEO of USISPF, said the recent interactions reflect the growing pace of trade engagement between the two countries. He noted that Ambassador Greer’s participation in the leadership summit, shortly after his meetings in New Delhi, demonstrates the strong commitment to advancing trade talks. Aghi added that as the United States marks 250 years of independence, the relationship with India is entering a significant new chapter.
USISPF concluded that the latest discussions have strengthened confidence among business leaders that both governments are steadily moving toward a comprehensive trade framework designed to deepen commercial cooperation and create new economic opportunities for both nations.
