India and United States Near Finalizing Interim Bilateral Trade Agreement

India and the United States are in the final stages of sealing an interim bilateral trade agreement after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump discussed the pact on the sidelines of the G7 summit in France. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said both sides have made significant progress and are close to concluding the deal. The United States Trade Representative, Jamieson Greer, is scheduled to visit India next week to give the talks a final push and to discuss a broader Bilateral Trade Agreement. Both leaders described the agreement as "very close" to completion, noting that it will reduce trade tensions, improve market access and create new investment opportunities. In a related development, India’s comprehensive trade deal with the United Kingdom is set to take effect on 15 July, further expanding New Delhi’s economic partnerships.