New Delhi, April 22 -- US Vice President JD Vance on Tuesday said the terms of reference for negotiations on an India-US bilateral trade agreement have been finalized, describing it as a "vital step" towards a broader agreement grounded in shared priorities.

The announcement signals that both sides are ready to move from exploratory discussions to formal negotiations on the trade deal, at a time when New Delhi and Washington are seeking to align more closely on economic and strategic fronts.

"This agreement is a vital step toward a final deal between our nations," Vance said.

"We come to you as partners, looking to strengthen our relationship. We're not here to preach that you do things a certain way," Vance told an audience in Jaipur ...