Sri Lanka, July 17 -- Washington and Delhi are "very close" to finalising a trade deal, US President Donald Trump has said, as high-level talks between the two sides continue.

"We're very close to a deal with India where they open it [the market] up," Trump told reporters at the White house on Wednesday.

Later in the day, he reiterated that the deal with India was "very close" when asked about upcoming trade agreements in an interview with broadcaster Real America's Voice.

India and the US have been locked in intense negotiations over the past few months, aiming to reach an agreement before steep tariffs kick in.

Trump had first announced 27% tariffs on Indian goods in 2 April as part of a wider trade policy move. While the tariffs we...