New Delhi [India], December 12 (ANI): Samajwadi Party MP Rajeev Rai on Friday said that at this point, the trade negotiations between India and the US have been heavily tilted towards Americans, terming it a 'failure' of the Indian foreign policy.

Speaking to ANI, Rai said, 'Irrespective of political differences, we hope that a solution is worked out soon to benefit Indian businesses and the economy. But the government has to take responsibility for the failure of its foreign policy. Till now, we are only seeing America benefiting.'

Meanwhile, the visit of a delegation of US trade officials from the office of the US Trade Representative, led by Deputy US Trade Rick Switzer served as an opportunity for both sides to have productive exchanges on a wide gamut of items, including the ongoing negotiations for a mutually beneficial India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement, Commerce Ministry sources said on Thursday.

Sources said that both sides agreed to continue the current purposeful and positive engagements. The delegation led by Rick Switzer visited India from December 9 to 11. This was Ambassador Switzer's first to India after assuming his current office.

During the visit, Switzer met with Commerce and Industries Minister Piyush Goyal, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal, and other senior Indian officials.

Rajesh Agrawal and Rick Switzer, during their meeting on Wednesday, discussed the trade and economic ties. 'Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal met with U.S. Deputy Trade Representative Rick Switzer. The two sides exchanged views on matters related to India-US trade and economic ties, including on the ongoing negotiations for a mutually beneficial Bilateral Trade Agreement,' Department of Commerce said in a post on X.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri also met Rick Switzer, with discussions covering the strong India-US economic and technology partnership, besides ongoing trade negotiations, and opportunities to boost two-way trade and resilient supply chains. (ANI)