India, June 7 -- US-India Business Council President Atul Keshap said he shares Donald Trump's optimism that India and the US will reach a bilateral trade agreement (BTA) soon.

Apprising that Washington's proposal of a 12.5% tariff on Indian goods over forced labour concerns is part of the ongoing negotiation, he said that the latest Indo-US trade deal was "75 years overdue".

Speaking in an interview, Keshap noted that talks between US Trade Representative officials led by Brendan Lynch and Indian negotiators in Delhi lasted "two, three days", and both governments have sent "very positive signals about the desire to conclude an agreement".

He said there is "inherent logic" in a BTA: US and Indian investors need it, and without it, the ...