AsianFin — India is aiming to wrap up the first phase of a long-anticipated trade agreement with the United States by autumn, Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Monday, signaling growing momentum in efforts to deepen economic ties between the two countries.

Speaking to members of the Indian diaspora in San Francisco, Sitharaman emphasized that the scope of talks goes beyond reciprocal tariff adjustments. “The long and short of engaging with the U.S. is not just for this reciprocal tariff-related matter, but in the interest of engaging with our largest trading partner, with whom we need to have an agreement,” she said.

The remarks come as Sitharaman embarks on a five-day visit to the United States, where she will participate in a packed agenda of multilateral and bilateral meetings. Her itinerary includes attending the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank, as well as the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors’ summit.

She is also scheduled to hold discussions with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and meet with officials from the United States Trade Representative (USTR), underscoring the growing strategic and economic alignment between the two democracies.