India in the middle of 'very intricate trade negotiation,' says Jaishankar as talks with US gain momentum

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said India is “in the middle, hopefully more than the middle” of a “very intricate trade negotiation” with the United States, adding that he remains optimistic about a successful outcome despite the complexity involved.

In an interview with Newsweek during his ongoing visit to the US, Jaishankar described the trajectory of India-US ties as steadily positive over the last 25 years.

Referring to the continuity of bilateral progress under five different US Presidents, he said, “Just think back over the last five presidents of America—Clinton, George W Bush, Obama, Trump, Biden—five very different presidents and yet at the end of every presidency, if you were to do a dipstick on India-US relations you'll find it's better off than it was at the beginning of that presidency.”

He added that “structural factors” such as economics, technology, education, energy, and security had acted as “drivers of the relationship,” allowing it to deepen over time.

Also read: India may finalise interim trade deal with US as early as this week: Report

‘There will have to be give and take’
Speaking on the ongoing trade talks wth US, Jaishankar said that while he could not guarantee the outcome, he believed a conclusion was within reach.

“Obviously, my hope would be that we bring it to a successful conclusion. I cannot guarantee it because there's another party to that discussion. But no question we do think today that trade—you know, there will have to be give and take,” he said.

“Just as people in the US may have views about India, people in India too have views about the US and we will have to find a kind of a middle ground there. I believe it's possible and I think we'll have to watch the space for the next few days,” he added.

The bilateral trade agreement (BTA), being finalised between New Delhi and Washington, is expected to see its first tranche completed by fall 2025.

Jaishankar reflects on past differences, urges focus on long-term gains
Drawing on his experience as India’s ambassador to the US, Jaishankar acknowledged that bilateral relationships inevitably face challenges.

“Relationships will never be free of issues, even I would say differences. I think what matters is the ability to deal with it and to keep that trend going in the positive direction,” he said.

Recalling earlier tensions—including a row over a diplomat, intellectual property issues, and plans by the US to sell F-16s to Pakistan—Jaishankar said such disputes had been managed and overcome.

Jaishankar is currently in the US at the invitation of Secretary of State Marco Rubio to attend the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on July 1. The meeting is expected to review progress on existing Quad initiatives and explore new proposals aimed at strengthening the shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Prior to this, the EAM visited New York where he inaugurated a United Nations exhibition on ‘The Human Cost of Terrorism’, reiterating India’s long-standing call to expose state sponsorship of terrorism.

(With inputs from agencies)