New Delhi, Jan. 15 -- India's Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal asserted on Thursday that the much-anticipated first tranche of India-US BTA is "very near" but stopped short of putting out a timeline.

"There are engagements going on, and negotiating teams are talking virtually on issues which are still pending. But we can't put a deadline. It's very near. That will happen as long as both sides are ready, they feel it is the right time to announce," he told reporters.

A team of US officials led by Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, Deputy USTR, Rick Switzer, met Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on December 10, 2025 and the Commerce Secretary Agrawal on December 11, 2025, at Vanijya Bhawan, to take forward the negotiations.

Agrwal also noted...