NEW DELHI, June 2 -- India and the United States (US) are close to finalising the first phase of a bilateral trade agreement, with Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal saying that negotiations are "about 99 per cent" complete.

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The remarks came as a US delegation led by Brendan Lynch arrived in New Delhi for three days of discussions with Indian trade officials aimed at concluding the negotiations.

Speaking to reporters, Goyal said most outstanding issues had been resolved and that negotiators were now focused on final details of the agreement. He expressed confidence that the first tranche of the trade pact would soon be signed, paving the way for discussions on a broader and more compre...