Very strategic ally: White House says India-US trade deal announcement soon

Speaking at a press conference in the White House, Karoline Leavitt said the US-India trade deal is very close and final announcements will come soon.

In Short

• White House calls India a key strategic ally in Indo-Pacific region
• President Trump has strong ties with PM Modi, says White House
• S Jaishankar currently in US to attend QUAD Foreign Ministers' meet

The White House has reaffirmed India's importance as a "key strategic ally" in the Indo-Pacific region, while confirming that a long-anticipated trade deal between New Delhi and Washington is "very close" to announcement.

"India remains a very strategic ally in the Asia Pacific and the President has a very good relationship with Prime Minister Modi, and he will continue to have that," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in response to a question from news agency ANI about China’s growing footprint in the region.

She also indicated that talks on a trade agreement between the two countries are at an advanced stage.

"The President said last week (that the US and India are very close to a trade deal), and it remains true. I just spoke to our Secretary of Commerce about it. He was in the Oval Office with the President. They are finalising these agreements, and you will hear from the President and his trade team very soon when it comes to India," Leavitt added.

The Press Secretary's remarks coincided with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's visit to the United States for the QUAD Foreign Ministers' Meeting. On Monday, Jaishankar also inaugurated an exhibition at the United Nations titled "The Human Cost of Terrorism", highlighting the global impact of state-sponsored terrorism.

The QUAD — comprising Australia, India, Japan, and the United States — is a strategic diplomatic coalition focused on promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Last month, Donald Trump said that Washington is pressing for the complete removal of trade barriers and better access to Indian markets, though he acknowledged it may not be fully achievable.

"India, I think we are going to reach a deal where we have the right to go and do trade. Right now, it's restricted. You can't walk in there, you can't even think about it. We are looking to get a full trade barrier dropping, which is unthinkable and I am not sure that that is going to happen. But as of this moment, we agree that going to India and trade," the President had said.

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