India, Feb. 17 -- India's chief negotiator Darpan Jain will visit the US next week to finalise the legal text for an interim agreement in line with the February 7 joint statement of the two countries, commerce secretary Rajesh Agrawal said on Monday, adding that Washington is expected to reduce the 25% reciprocal tariff on Indian merchandise exports to 18% soon, perhaps as early as this week.

"The joint statement pertains to the framework agreement that was reached between India and the US. The joint statement lays down the contours of the deal. Now the contour of the deal has to be translated into a legal agreement, which will be signed between the two sides. So, both sides are engaged in finalising that legal agreement, as I speak," he...