US-India Trade Deal Nears Completion, Says White House

“Yes, the President said that last week (that the US and India are very close to a trade deal), and it remains true. I just spoke to our Secretary of Commerce about it. He was in the Oval Office with the President. They are finalising these agreements, and you'll hear from the President and his trade team very soon when it comes to India,” ANI news agency quoted her as saying.

Responding to a question regarding China’s role in the Indo-Pacific, Leavitt reiterated, “India remains a very strategic ally in the Asia Pacific and the President has a very good relationship with Prime Minister Modi, and he will continue to have that.”

Her remarks come as External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is currently visiting the United States to participate in the QUAD Foreign Ministers' Meeting. The QUAD, consisting of Australia, India, Japan, and the US, is focused on promoting a free, open, and resilient Indo-Pacific. The alliance began as a coordinated humanitarian response following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.