'Not Stuck': Govt Sources After Trump's 'Later On' Remark Over India-US Trade Deal

Hours after US President Donald Trump hinted that no big deal is going to be signed during his to India, government sources in New Delhi said that the trade deal between India and the US is not stuck. “India and US do not want to rush in finalising a trade deal; both sides to take a decision considering the long-term view,” sources said. Some defence deals may fructify during Donald Trump's visit, they added.

Government sources said that both the countries have come to the stage when the relationship has matured. "Every visit, need not have big-ticket announcements," sources added.

Trump, forcefully pursuing his ‘America first” policy, has previously described India as a “tariff king” for imposing “tremendously high” tariffs on American products, also expressed dissatisfaction over the US-India trade ties.

“Well, we can have a trade deal with India, but I’m really saving the big deal for later on,” Trump, who is scheduled to visit India on February 24 and 25, told reporters at the Joint Base Andrews outside Washington on Tuesday when asked whether he expects a trade deal with India before the visit.

“We’re doing a very big trade deal with India. We’ll have it. I don’t know if it’ll be done before the election, but we’ll have a very big deal with India,” he said.

During his interaction with journalists, Trump once again voiced his concern over US-India trade relations.

“We’re not treated very well by India,” the US president said.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Trump will hold talks on February 25 to deepen cooperation in a range of key sectors including defence and trade, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said on Wednesday.

Trump, who is scheduled to visit India on February 24 and 25, will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, Shringla said. India and the US have an unprecedented level of convergence, he said.

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Shringla said the Namaste Trump event in Ahmedabad will be similar to the Howdy Modi event that was held in Houston last year. Trump and Modi will hold extensive talks on February 25 on a range of issues, including defence and trade, he said.

With PTI Inputs