"Tremendous potential": Former US official confident of India, US concluding "large trade deal" during PM Modi's visit

Washington, DC [US], February 13 (ANI): Former US official, Mark Linscott, underscored that India and the US have "tremendous potential" adding that the two countries will conclude a "large trade deal" during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US.
Linscott, a Senior Advisor (Trade) and former Assistant US Trade Representative believed that despite challenges, the two sides will start negotiations covering the full range of trade issues.
He noted that the negotiations will be challenging, with potential disruptions and threats of tariffs, but expressed confidence that a deal will be reached.
Speaking to ANI, Linscott said, "There is tremendous potential and I think that during PM Modi's visit, the two sides will agree to start the negotiation...covering the full range of trade issues, I'm very optimistic...It will be challenging negotiations, difficult times, some disruptions, and there likely will be threats of tariffs, some new tariffs, it will be complicated and that's true of many trade negotiations...but I do think they would conclude on quite a large trade deal.
Further, speaking on the tariff threat, Linscott said, "With the President, each day brings new questions, new possibilities of announcements of tariffs. It's very difficult to anticipate. We had, over the weekend, the announcement of tariffs on steel and aluminium, these are applied to tariffs applied during the first Trump administration...frankly, I think those will have a limited impact on India. ut, he has also talked about reciprocal tariffs...I think those are the ones to watch."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a two-day visit, at the invitation of US President Donald Trump.
He arrived in the US on Wednesday (local time). India's Ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra and other officials welcomed PM Modi at the airport.
This is PM Modi's first visit to the United States after Donald Trump assumed office for the second term. During his visit, PM Modi will hold a meeting with US President Trump.
PM Modi will be staying at the Blair House -- the historic guest lodging for dignitaries visiting the White House. Located at 1651 Pennsylvania Avenue, directly across the street from the White House, this historic home is no ordinary guest house. Blair House has hosted presidents, royalty, and world leaders, earning its nickname as "the world's most exclusive hotel."
Blair House is more than just a luxurious guest house. It's a symbol of American hospitality and diplomacy, a place where relationships are forged, and history is made. It is a luxurious, 70,000-square-foot extension of the White House.
Before departing for his visit, PM Modi noted that his visit to the US will be an opportunity to build on the successes of collaboration in his first term and develop an agenda to further elevate and deepen the partnership between the two nations.
In his departure statement, PM Modi said, "Although this will be our first meeting following his historic electoral victory and inauguration in January, I have a very warm recollection of working together in his first term in building a Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership between India and the US."
"This visit will be an opportunity to build upon the successes of our collaboration in his first term and develop an agenda to further elevate and deepen our partnership, including in the areas of technology, trade, defence, energy, and supply chain resilience. We will work together for the mutual benefit of the people of our two countries and shape a better future for the world," he added.
Since November 2024, PM Modi and Trump have spoken on the phone twice. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar attended the inauguration ceremony of President Donald Trump. During the visit, EAM Jaishankar also met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and participated in the QUAD Foreign Ministers' meeting in January 2025. (ANI)