US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo sought to reduce heightened trade tension with India on Wednesday
trade disputes have led to higher tariffs by the two countries and created unease over the depth of their security alliance
Pompeo's visit to India comes in the backdrop of escalating tensions between the US and Iran and trade differences between New Delhi and Washington.
PM Modi will meet President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the upcoming G20 Osaka Summit
Pompeo's visit marks the third visit to India by a Secretary of State during the Trump Administration
Bilateral trade is likely to be an important topic of discussion during Pompeo's talks with the Indian leadership
It would be the first time New Delhi has entered into such a pact with any country, although the United States has such agreements in place with several countries
Disputes over trade and protectionist moves have escalated between the two countries in recent months, but defence ties remain strong
Pompeo's visit comes shortly after India announced a hike in customs duties on as many as 28 US products
His remarks came days after India on Saturday announced a hike in customs duties on as many as 28 US products, including almond, pulses, and walnut
During his visit, Pompeo would hold talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and call upon other dignitaries
India to respond after U.S. President Donald Trump scrapped trade privileges under the Generalized System of Preferences for the country.
Before starting his trip, Pompeo will address the India Ideas Summit of US-India Business Council on June 12
New Delhi would be Pompeo's first stop and South Korea his last during the nearly week-long visit to the Indo-Pacific region, beginning June 24
Once the deal is inked, the deliveries will take place in two to four years
During the June 2017 meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump, the US had agreed to sell surveillance version of the Guardian drones to India
Prime Minister Modi and the US President Donald Trump are scheduled to meet later this month in Osaka, Japan during the G-20 Summit
US President Donald Trump signed a proclamation on Friday, stating that the GSP scheme, which offered duty-free market access to more than 3,000 items exported from India, would be withdrawn on June 5
CII President Vikram Kirloskar expressed hope that both the US and India would discuss the matter and find an amicable solution to this issue
Demand for Indian goods in the rest of the world needs to perk up to create space for GDP growth and job creation