Washington — As the United States and India move closer to finalizing a long-awaited trade agreement, a top American diplomat has stressed the need for “fair and reciprocal” access to each other’s markets. The demand was made during a high-level meeting in Washington between U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.
According to a statement from U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce, Deputy Secretary Landau “underscored the importance of fair and reciprocal market access to fostering economic growth and prosperity in both countries.”
The emphasis on market fairness comes amid growing speculation that a bilateral trade deal between India and the U.S. is in its final stages of negotiation. While the exact terms remain under wraps, sources suggest both sides are close to ironing out key differences that have long delayed an agreement.
Landau also raised two other pressing concerns during the meeting: illegal immigration and counternarcotics cooperation. Although no specifics were provided, the reference likely pertains to recent incidents involving Indian nationals attempting unauthorized entry into the U.S. A video that circulated earlier this year, showing some of them being deported in chains aboard military aircraft, sparked controversy and debate in both countries.
India and the United States have historically faced friction over market access. Successive U.S. administrations — regardless of political party — have criticized India’s trade barriers, particularly those related to agriculture, e-commerce, and intellectual property rights.
The principle of reciprocity in trade has been a cornerstone of U.S. trade policy under former President Donald Trump and continues to shape negotiations under current leadership. Trump’s administration notably restructured America’s trade relationships with China, the EU, Japan, and India, insisting that U.S. market openness be met with similar access abroad.
Earlier this month, Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal visited Washington, where he held talks with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, all key members of the U.S. trade negotiation team.
During the Landau-Misri dialogue, both sides also reaffirmed their commitment to regional peace and stability, amid shifting geopolitical dynamics in the Indo-Pacific.
While no formal announcements have been made, a senior U.S. official told reporters earlier this week that a U.S.-India trade agreement could be signed in the coming weeks, marking a significant milestone in the deepening economic partnership between the two nations.
