Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal met US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on the sidelines of the G20 Trade Ministers’ Meeting in Milwaukee on Thursday to push the India-US trade deal.

Goyal said on X that he had a “productive discussion” with Greer “towards early conclusion of a mutually beneficial interim agreement under the India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement.” The two also exchanged views on G20 deliberations under the US chairship.

The meeting came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump spoke by phone. The leaders reviewed progress on trade, defence, energy, and critical technologies, according to officials.

Greer later sounded a cautious note. He said a deal was not “imminent” and that the two sides had identified the “universe of items” that remain sticking points. Friction points include India’s purchases of Russian oil and protection for politically sensitive farm sectors.

Why it matters: the US holds the 2026 G20 presidency, and both sides want an interim pact that gives India a competitive edge in the American market.

What happens next: negotiators continue work on the remaining differences, with no announcement date set.