New Delhi, June 23 -- With about two weeks remaining before the critical July 9 deadline, India and the United States face mounting challenges in finalising their Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) as the 90-day tariff pause period draws to a close.

Government sources emphasised that India's national interests will remain paramount in ongoing negotiations, even as both nations work intensively to reach an interim deal before the deadline expires.

The negotiations have hit significant roadblocks, with the US maintaining its demands for substantially reduced duties on American agricultural and dairy products, along with market access for genetically modified (GMO) crops.

India, however, has firmly rejected these proposals, citing concerns o...