Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday held discussions with US Senator Steve Daines and the US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, focusing on the state of bilateral relations between the two countries. Taking to social media platform X, Goyal described the interaction as constructive, stating, “Delighted to again meet my good friends US Senator Steve Daines and the US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor. Had a productive exchange of views on our bilateral relationship.”
The meeting comes amid ongoing negotiations between India and the United States on a proposed bilateral trade agreement. According to PTI, the talks are taking place against the backdrop of a steep 50 per cent import duty imposed on Indian goods by the Donald Trump administration in August, a move that has added urgency to efforts aimed at resolving trade-related concerns.
Earlier, on Sunday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also met Senator Daines, who is currently visiting India, to discuss the broader India-US partnership and its growing strategic importance. The engagements underline sustained high-level dialogue between the two sides as they seek to deepen cooperation across sectors.
On January 12, Ambassador Sergio Gor, during his arrival address, said that India and the US are actively engaged in finalising a trade deal. Meanwhile, PTI reported that Republican Senators Steve Daines of Montana and Kevin Cramer of North Dakota have urged President Trump to ensure favourable provisions for US pulse growers in any future trade agreement, arguing that American producers face a “significant competitive disadvantage” due to what they termed “unfair” tariffs imposed by India.
