India-US Trade Talks Progressing Well, Deal a Priority: State Dept

New Delhi, Jun 5 (KNN) The United States has expressed strong optimism over the progress of trade negotiations with India, reaffirming that a bilateral trade deal remains a priority for the Trump administration, according to State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott.

Speaking at a roundtable hosted by the New York Foreign Press Center with international journalists on Thursday, Pigott told PTI, “On trade, we have been very optimistic about the progress of trade talks.” 

A United States Trade Representative (USTR) delegation, led by its chief negotiator, visited India from June 1 to 4, according to India's Ministry of Commerce and Industry. 

The two sides held what the ministry described as "constructive and positive" discussions covering trade in goods, non-tariff measures, customs and trade facilitation, and economic security alignment.

While declining to offer a specific timeline for concluding a deal, Pigott said discussions are ongoing and that the issue remains a priority for both the Ambassador and President Trump. "We're encouraged by progress on that," he said.

H1B Visa Concerns

On immigration, Pigott addressed concerns among Indian professionals regarding H1B visas, stating that the current administration is applying visa laws consistently and uniformly — in contrast to what he described as inconsistent application under previous administrations, PTI reported.

"There are no visa laws that target India. These are global visa laws that are being implemented with clarity, clear instructions that are being applied across the board," he said. 

He added that while the US would continue to facilitate the entry of workers needed to support investment and economic growth, it also seeks to ensure that Americans have access to employment opportunities created through investments in the country.

The remarks come amid heightened anxiety in India's professional community. Indians account for an estimated 71 per cent of all approved H1B applications in recent years, according to US Citizenship and Immigration Services data, with technology, engineering, medicine, and research being the primary fields. 

The Trump administration has tightened immigration rules significantly, including introducing a USD 100,000 fee on new H1B visas announced last year — a move that caused considerable concern among Indian workers and their employers.

(KNN Bureau)