US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said a trade deal with India is not imminent despite ongoing talks. He met Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Wednesday to discuss progress. Greer noted, "We're in the short strokes," and added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump may speak very soon.

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal meets United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer during discussions on the proposed India-US trade agreement, in New Delhi. PTI

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the United States and India were working to finalise a bilateral trade deal but an agreement was not imminent, even as he indicated that President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi may hold another phone call "very soon" to assess progress.

"We had a very constructive conversation, minister Goyal and myself. Our staff is meeting right now since they're in the country, and we're here," Greer said.

Greer met Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on the sidelines of the G20 Trade Ministers' meeting on Wednesday evening and had a "productive discussion" on the early conclusion of a mutually beneficial interim trade agreement.

"We are continually trying to finish the trade deal with India. I would characterise it, as we say in the US, we're in the short strokes. So, I think we're toward the end of it," the US Trade Representative said.

Greer said Trump and Modi had a very constructive call on Wednesday morning.

"At the same time, there's no - I don't think there's something imminent - but we truly have identified the universe of items that are sticking points. We're working diligently toward them," Greer said.

"My sense is that the president and the prime minister may have another call very soon on this, just to assess progress and where we are," Greer said.

On Wednesday, Modi and Trump reviewed progress in bilateral cooperation across trade, defence, energy, critical technologies and other areas of mutual interest.

India and the US had, in February, announced the finalisation of the framework for the first phase of the bilateral trade agreement (BTA). However, changes in the tariff landscape in the US have led to further negotiations on the pact.

Goyal on September 24 said that the trade pact between India and the US is "done and dusted" and will be executed once the United States gives India the right competitive advantage over its competitors in the American market.

India's competitors in the US market include ASEAN countries, China, and Bangladesh.