A trade deal between India and the US could be finalised soon, with both countries finding common ground that suits their interests, US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick said, expressing “strong optimism” about the direction of ongoing talks while speaking at the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum.

Lutnick said, “I think to be in a very, very good place, and you should expect a deal between the US and India in the not-too-distant future because I think we found a place that really works for both countries.” Lutnick also praised India for moving swiftly in trade talks, noting that both sides were working to finalise a deal far quicker than is typical, a deal that benefits both countries. 

“Earlier countries get a better deal. That’s the way it is. I think India is trying hard to be one of the earlier countries which I appreciate. But these kind of deals used to take two or three years and we’re trying to get them done in a month, which is just not the ordinary DNA of trading relationships between countries,” he said.