New Delhi, Sept. 29 -- India-US trade deal talks have moved close to an agreement, but an ongoing US trade investigation under Section 301 could still influence when the two countries formally conclude the pact, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said.

Speaking at a special interaction hosted by the Asia Society, EAM Jaishankar said negotiations had reached a broad understanding, but the continuing Section 301 process remained an important factor in deciding when to finalise the agreement.

"The 301 process is still in the works, it's still unfolding. So the issue for us is at what point do you close out an agreement which is very, very far advanced," he noted.

Section 301 of the US Trade Act of 1974 allows Washington DC to inve...