India-US trade deal to 'unleash another level' of ties

The United States and India are on the verge of finalizing a landmark trade agreement, according to a senior State Department official. The official stated that the two nations are 90 percent through with the deal, with only a few remaining issues to resolve. The trade pact, which has long been a sticking point in US-India relations, is expected to significantly deepen bilateral ties, a development described by the official as "very, very exciting."

New Delhi is set to host a meeting of Quad foreign ministers in May, marking the third time this year. This unprecedented frequency underscores the importance the United States and India place on the diplomatic grouping and Japan and Australia. The official expressed optimism about the future of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), stating that the corridor is a top priority for both countries.

However, the official noted that progress has been hampered by regional instability in the Middle East, including events such as the Israel/Gaza conflict and tensions with Iran. The official predicted that once the Middle East region stabilizes, IMEC is poised for significant growth, particularly in terms of shipping and trucking routes across the region.