A team of Indian officials will visit the U.S. next week to finalise the legal text for an interim trade agreement, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said on Monday, February 16, 2026. The visit is likely to start on February 23. Earlier this month, India and the U.S. released a joint statement announcing a framework for this deal. Mr. Agrawal told reporters in New Delhi, “The joint statement lays down the contours of the deal. Now, the contours of the deal have to be translated into a legal agreement, which will be signed between the two sides.” Both countries are finalising the legal agreement through virtual talks. Next week, India's chief negotiator Darpan Jain, joint secretary in the Commerce Ministry, will lead a delegation to Washington to work on this. Mr. Agrawal added, “That work will carry on next week in Washington and, if need be, thereafter in July and March.” There is an effort to close and sign the deal in March, though no fixed deadline has been set due to the deal’s legal complexities. Under the interim pact, both countries will offer duty concessions on many traded goods. The U.S. plans to reduce reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods from 25% to 18%. It has already removed a 25% punitive tariff on India related to Russian crude oil imports. “The US is working on reducing the reciprocal tariffs from 25% to 18%,” said Mr. Agrawal. “I am told they are processing it. It should be done fast. Our expectation is that it should be done this week. But, in case it is not done, the team is there next week, and we can pursue and see why it is taking time.” Typically, the 18% tariff cut takes effect in the interim deal. Any further tariff drops to zero will begin only after the legal agreement is signed. “From our side also, any reduction in tariff, any market access, preferential market access will be extended only after the legal agreement is signed,” he explained. On cotton trade, Mr. Agrawal mentioned India imports about $200-250 million worth of U.S. cotton yearly. “I presume it is the same variety which we get the preferential market access,” he added.