India, US close to signing first phase of trade deal: Minister

NEW DELHI, June 2: India and the United States are "about 99 percent" done with the first tranche of a trade deal, the commerce minister said, as a US delegation began talks in New Delhi on Tuesday.

The delegation, led by Assistant US Trade Representative for South and Central Asia Brendan Lynch, is holding three days of talks with Indian trade officials, as the two sides seek to close negotiations.

"About 99 percent of the issues have been settled," Indian commerce minister Piyush Goyal told reporters in Delhi late Monday.

The two countries reached an initial understanding for the trade deal in February, but negotiations slowed after President Donald Trump's sweeping tariff measures were struck down by the US Supreme Court.

After the court order, the Trump administration launched investigations into unfair trade practices against several countries, including India, while imposing a blanket 10 percent tariff.

Goyal said negotiators were examining how recent legal changes in the United States should be reflected in the final text of the agreement.

"I am fully confident that we will conclude and sign the first tranche of the bilateral trade agreement with the United States," Goyal said, adding that discussions would then continue on a broader and more comprehensive pact.

"Discussions are continuing on minor details, essentially the commas and full stops."

Last week, US ambassador Sergio Gor said he expected the interim trade deal to be signed "in the next few weeks".    �"AFP