India expects to finalise a long-pending trade deal with the United States before the end of this year, with most major issues now resolved, trade secretary Rajesh Agarwal said on Friday.

The trade secretary also said negotiators from both sides are currently holding virtual discussions, and any remaining sticking points “could be addressed at the political level” if required.

He also confirmed that India and the European Union are in the “last and most difficult phase” of their free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations, signalling the complexity of closing a deal with the 27-member bloc.