Modi speaks with Trump as India seeks interim deal with US

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump agreed to maintain close engagement to advance the countries’ strategic partnership ‌as trade minister Piyush Goyal holds talks in the United States aimed at securing an interim trade deal.

In a telephone conversation, Modi and Trump reviewed bilateral cooperation in trade, defence, energy and critical technologies, the Indian Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement. “The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to ⁠advancing the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership and agreed to maintain close engagement to deepen cooperation,” the statement said.

They also exchanged views on regional and international developments, including efforts to promote global peace and security, it added.

Trade Minister Piyush Goyal is visiting the United States from September 29 to October ​5 for talks on a proposed bilateral trade agreement and an ​interim arrangement. Goyal is due to meet US counterparts as part of efforts to advance ‌a “balanced ⁠and mutually beneficial” India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement, New Delhi said earlier this week.

Goyal arrived in Milwaukee on Tuesday for a G20 trade ministers’ meeting and met chief executives and senior executives from US manufacturing and technology ​companies at a ​roundtable hosted by ⁠the National Association of Manufacturers, India’s trade ministry said.

He was also scheduled to attend a meeting of G20 ​trade ministers in Wisconsin at the invitation of US ​Trade ⁠Representative Jamieson Greer. India and the United States have yet to reach agreement after months of negotiations, with New Delhi seeking improved terms in the proposed ⁠deal.

Earlier ​this month, India said it had told Washington ​that new US tariff measures linked to India’s purchases of Russian oil could affect bilateral ​relations.