Senior U.S. and Indian officials say bilateral trade negotiations have stalled
and the odds of reaching a deal are falling. Indian finance minister Nirmala
Sitharaman said on Monday at the Munich Security Conference the talks have
'reached a plateau' and further concessions by either side would be very
difficult; USTR Greer said on Friday talks were in a final phase but not
'imminent'. Both sides agreed a temporary pact earlier this year and have
continued negotiating; India is seeking U.S. guarantees of preferential tariff
treatment versus other countries and protection from future punitive measures
after any agreement.
