India and the United States appear to be in the final stages of concluding the first tranche of a long-awaited bilateral trade agreement, with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday expressing confidence that it would be signed “as soon as possible”.A high-level US trade delegation, led by Assistant US Trade Representative Brendan Lynch, has arrived in India for four days of negotiations aimed at finalising the proposed agreement, underscoring the momentum in economic engagement between the two countries.“As far as the US team is concerned, some members have already arrived, while others are arriving tonight. Our meetings are scheduled for June 2, 3 and 4,” Goyal said.Referring to the framework for the proposed trade pact announced by the leaders of the two countries on February 7 this year, the minister said most issues had already been resolved.“The leaders of both nations had already announced the agreement framework on February 7. All the major points have been settled. US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor recently stated that 99 per cent of the details have been finalised,” Goyal said.“I am fully confident that we will conclude the first tranche of the bilateral trade agreement with the US as soon as possible. We will sign it and then proceed to initiate further discussions on how to formulate an even more comprehensive bilateral trade agreement moving forward,” he added.Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the US Embassy said the delegation, led by Lynch, would remain in India from June 1 to 4 to continue discussions aimed at finalising a US-India trade agreement.The spokesperson added that Washington was seeking an agreement that would be “enduring, beneficial and sustainable” for both countries, echoing remarks made by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during his recent visit to India.While negotiators have narrowed differences on most issues, discussions are understood to be continuing on tariff structures, market access and certain technical provisions. Officials on both sides, however, have indicated that substantial progress has already been achieved.The negotiations assume significance as New Delhi and Washington seek to deepen economic ties amid shifting global supply chains and growing strategic convergence. The proposed pact is expected to address issues ranging from market access and tariff barriers to supply-chain resilience, digital trade and investment.Officials on both sides have been working towards concluding an initial agreement before moving on to negotiations for a broader and more comprehensive bilateral trade arrangement, a goal endorsed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump earlier this year.