New Delhi, Nov. 28 -- India is looking to finalize a framework agreement on reciprocal tariffs with the US by the end of this year, said commerce secretary Rajesh Agrawal, marking a significant step toward resolving the issue that has strained bilateral trade between the two countries.

The two countries are making steady progress on a deal running parallel to the broader bilateral trade agreement negotiations, and the government is pursuing "two separate parallel tracks" with Washington, Agrawal said on Friday.

"While a comprehensive trade agreement will take longer due to its wide scope, the framework deal-aimed specifically at addressing reciprocal tariff challenges-has moved into an advanced stage," he said while speaking at an event...