External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar has expressed optimism regarding the ongoing trade negotiations between India and the United States, suggesting that a deal may be within reach. Speaking at a Newsweek event in New York, Jaishankar indicated that the discussions are in an advanced stage and that both sides will need to demonstrate flexibility to reach a mutually agreeable outcome.

Jaishankar acknowledged the intricate nature of the trade negotiations, emphasizing that they involve numerous details and require careful consideration of various perspectives. "We are in the middle, hopefully more than the middle, of a very intricate trade negotiation," Jaishankar stated. He added, "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,".

The EAM highlighted the necessity of "give and take" from both India and the US, noting that both nations hold distinct viewpoints that need to be reconciled. "There will have to be give and take. And just like the US or people in the US may have views about India, people in India have views about the US too. And we'll have to find a kind of meeting ground. I believe it's possible," Jaishankar said.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also conveyed a positive outlook, stating that the agreements were in the process of being finalized. "You'll hear from the President and his team, his trade team very soon when it comes to India," Leavitt said.

The negotiations have seen intense engagement over the past few months, with both sides dedicating significant effort to address outstanding issues. An Indian trade delegation, led by Chief Negotiator Rajesh Agrawal, is currently in the US to continue discussions. These talks involve intricate trade-offs, with negotiators examining thousands of tariff lines and assessing market values.

While Jaishankar refrained from guaranteeing a successful conclusion, he expressed confidence that a "meeting ground" could be found. He stated, "I believe it's possible, and I think we'll have to watch this space for the next few days,".

The US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick said that a trade deal between India and the US could be finalised soon and "you should expect a deal between the United States and India in the not-too-distant future because I think we found a place that really works for both countries,”.

In addition to trade negotiations, Jaishankar addressed the broader India-US relationship, highlighting the consistently positive trajectory over the past 25 years. He also refuted claims that trade was used to negotiate a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, emphasizing that trade negotiations are conducted professionally, based on numbers, products, and trade-offs.