India, Sept. 24 -- India's commerce and industry minister, Piyush Goyal, met the US trade representative, Jamieson Greer, in Washington. Experts contend that the meeting will accelerate the bilateral trade talks, and yield a much-needed breakthrough. Those who are in know confide that a deal is already on the table. "India has agreed to many of the US' demands, and so has the latter to the former's concerns. It is now a matter of finalising the import duties on a few more-sensitive American products," says one of them. This explains why Goyal earlier hinted that a pact would be in place by November this year. The deal may be announced in late-November or early December.

November or December will be perfect timing to announce it. By then,...