London, July 9 -- American government officials have expressed 'great optimism' as discussions continue on the India-US trade agreement, hoping that it will "conclude soon", State Department Spokesperson Margaret Macleod said on Thursday.

She made the remarks in an exclusive conversation with ANI.

When asked about the interim trade deal, the American envoy said, "We hear from US government officials that there is great optimism it will happen soon, but for the specific details, it would be best to ask the US Trade Representative directly."

Earlier, US Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Bethany Poulos Morrison said that Washington is "very, very close" to concluding the historic trade agreement w...