New Delhi, May 21 -- India may escape the United States' additional reciprocal tariff that was set to kick in on July 9 as both countries are currently discussing the fine print-having already resolved almost all tariff-related issue-so that they can announce a first tranche of a comprehensive bilateral trade agreement (BTA) by June-end, people aware of the matter said. After several rounds of discussions, India and the US have arrived at near consensus on granting duty-free access to over 90% products from the respective countries for mutual gain, provided Washington accords preferential treatment to Indian merchandise by removing all non-tariff barriers, these people said, requesting anonymity due to the confidential nature of the ongoing talks. HT on April 26 reported that Indian and US negotiators are examining if tariffs can be removed on a majority of goods traded between the two nations in the first tranche. The US pact is one of several such trade deals India is negotiating. HT reported on May 20 that the European Union has fast-tracked free trade talks with India in order to announce an early harvest deal. Negotiators of both sides are meeting in Brussels this week. Talks are also on with Oman, Peru and New Zealand. On May 6, India and the UK announced an FTA that will boost Indian exports of textiles, leather and engineering goods and cut import levies on British whisky, automobiles and medical devices. "As talks are progressing fast, a positive outcome is expected very soon. This may result into revocation of or deferment of the July 9 reciprocal tariff deadline as top officials of the two sides hopeful for an early harvest deal," one of the people said, referring to Union commerce minister Piyush Goyal's Washington visit. The minister in an early Tuesday morning post on X said: "Good discussions with Secretary @HowardLutnick towards expediting the first tranche of India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement."...