India-US trade deal framework 'ready', to be signed at right time: Official

India's framework for a trade deal with the United States is ready and awaiting signature at the right moment, a government official confirmed on Sunday, in the clearest signal yet that bilateral trade negotiations have moved into their final stages.

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, speaking separately, rejected media reports suggesting India was deliberately holding out on the agreement. Goyal's pushback, reported by Scroll.in, came amid speculation that domestic political or economic considerations were delaying conclusion of the pact. The Commerce Secretary echoed this line, telling reporters that talks were progressing well and that there were no challenges in the negotiations.

The statements represent a coordinated effort by New Delhi to project confidence and momentum in a negotiation that has been closely watched by exporters, industry bodies and financial markets. Both India and the United States have faced pressure — from domestic constituencies and third-country competitors — to finalise terms, particularly around tariffs on goods, digital trade and agricultural access.

The timing of a formal signing remains undefined, with officials careful to say only that it will happen at the "right time". Analysts note that the language suggests the substantive work is done but that political windows and diplomatic calendars will ultimately determine when the deal is made public. For Indian industry, particularly in textiles, pharmaceuticals and technology services, the outcome could have significant implications for market access in the world's largest economy.