President Trump said he expects the US and India to reach a long-awaited trade deal after negotiators wrapped a new round of talks this week, telling reporters in the Oval Office he has a close relationship with Prime Minister Modi. India’s commerce ministry said both sides remain committed to a bilateral pact. In February the two sides agreed a first-phase framework, originally expected to be finalised in March; the proposed arrangement would subject Indian exports to an 18% tariff versus the 5

President Trump said he expects the US and India to reach a long-awaited trade deal after negotiators wrapped a new round of talks this week, telling reporters in the Oval Office he has a close relationship with Prime Minister Modi. India’s commerce ministry said both sides remain committed to a bilateral pact. In February the two sides agreed a first-phase framework, originally expected to be finalised in March; the proposed arrangement would subject Indian exports to an 18% tariff versus the 50% rate announced last year. The process stalled after the US Supreme Court struck down reciprocal tariffs, and New Delhi has urged Washington to drop its Section 301 probe and resolve the matter bilaterally.