India-US Announce Framework for Interim Trade Agreement: A Step Towards Stronger Bilateral Ties

New Delhi, February 7, 2026 – India and the United States have issued a joint statement announcing a framework for an Interim Trade Agreement, aimed at fostering reciprocal and mutually beneficial trade relations.

The framework reaffirms the commitment to the broader U.S.-India Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) negotiations, which were launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump on February 13 last year. It includes provisions for additional market access commitments and measures to build more resilient supply chains, as shared by the Commerce and Industry Ministry.

Prime Minister Modi welcomed the development in a social media post, terming it “great news” and thanking President Trump for his personal commitment to robust Indo-US ties. “This framework reflects the growing depth, trust and dynamism of India-US partnership,” Modi stated, emphasizing shared commitments to innovation and deeper cooperation.

External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar echoed the sentiment, noting that the agreement will realize a mutually beneficial trade partnership by ensuring greater market access and opportunities for Indian exporters.

From the U.S. side, Ambassador Sergio Gor praised the leadership of Trump and Modi, describing the joint statement as ushering in a “new phase” in bilateral relations focused on trade and economic cooperation. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer also welcomed the announcement, highlighting its aim to remove tariff and non-tariff barriers while opening India’s market to American products.

This interim framework is seen as a precursor to a comprehensive BTA, signaling enhanced economic collaboration amid global challenges.