New Delhi, June 27 -- India's trade delegation is currently in the United States for high-stakes negotiations aimed at finalising a bilateral trade agreement as both nations race against a July 9 deadline to secure an interim deal before temporary tariff protections expire.

The Indian delegation is being led by Chief Negotiator Rajesh Aggarwal, who is holding talks with officials from the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR).

The negotiations, initially scheduled for Thursday and Friday, may be extended based on the progress of discussions, according to officials familiar with the matter.

"Protecting India's interests will be supreme in India-US BTA talks," an Indian official close to the negotiations said, underscor...