India-U.S. trade deal in offing: ORF Director Research Harsh V Pant

Observer Research Foundation's Director Research Prof. Harsh V Pant has claimed that the visit of PM Modi to the USA is very productive and both countries are working together on a serious pace to resolve the trade deal.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump's bonhomie which remained quite visible during their second meet in three days, couldn't yield any positive result on trade. Though the bilateral on the sidelines of the UNGA session on Tuesday ended on a positive note when Trump who has been critical of Indian tariffs on U.S. exports claimed that both sides will soon reach a trade deal.

Talking exclusively to ETV Bharat, Observer Research Foundation's Director Research Prof. Harsh V Pant claimed that both countries are working together on a serious pace to resolve it and he can see it in the offing.

Prof. Harsh also said that trade issue will continue to remain an issue between India and U.S even after Donald Trump. He even claimed that India has been able to make its position very clear to U.S. administration.

"If you look at Modi's speech in Houston, he made it very clear that India is willing now to look at trade-in transactional manner. Though a formal trade deal hasn't been reached. My sense tells me that it is in the offing," he added.

Sources have told ETV Bharat that a trade agreement couldn't be reached between both sides as the USA wanted India to reduce 20% tariffs on information and communication technology exports.

Earlier, President Trump had attacked Indian administration through his twitter accusing it levying it of heavy tariffs on U.S. commodities. Not only this, his administration took away the GSP (Generalised System of Preferences) status from India. In retaliation to which India increased tariffs on 28 U.S. products.

Things were looking bleak until President Trump and PM Modi decided during their bilaterals on the sidelines of G20 and G7 decided to chalk out ways through ministerial-level conversations. After which U.S. trade representative Robert Lighthizer visited India and held discussions with Commerce Minister and ministry officials.