India will 'not rush into deal' with US during Trump's visit to Ahmedabad

India has dashed hopes of an early trade deal with the United States, saying it will not rush into an agreement during a visit by President Donald Trump to the country next week.

Indian foreign ministry spokesman Raveesh Kumar said on Thursday that “complex negotiations” are underway for reaching an agreement, but "these are complex negotiations. We would not like to rush into a deal."

“We do hope to reach an understanding with an outcome that strikes the right balance for both sides,” he added.

He made the remarks as many were expecting a deal next week, when Trump is due for a visit to Ahmedabad on Monday.

Days ahead of the visit, Trump said that Washington and New Delhi could make a "tremendous" trade deal as he was “going to India”

He further said that the US has not been treated well by New Delhi, but said, “I happen to like Prime Minister Modi a lot.”

In response to Trump’s remarks, Kumar said, “It is important to understand the context under which these remarks were made.”

"Please understand that the US is India's largest trading partner” he said adding that “there has been a consistent growth in trade between the two countries over the last few years."

The Indian Congress criticized Trump for making the remarks ahead of his visit to India, saying he has “undermined” all the progress achieved so far in bilateral relations.

“It is an insult and affront to the dignity of the country and the Ministry of External Affairs should respond to it,” said congressional leaders.

They also called on the Modi government to respond to Trump’s comments.

Negotiations are underway between New Delhi and Washington over several agreements, including military contracts worth $3 billion and several other deals worth over $7 billion.

The Indian cabinet committee on security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the procurement of 24 MH-60R Seahawk multi-role helicopters worth $2.6 billion for the Indian Navy.

The US has also moved ahead on its offer for a missile shield system to protect the India capital.

Progress has also been made on the sale of the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) to India under a Foreign Military Sales pact.

The US has also moved ahead on its offer for a missile shield system for the Indian capital.

Ahead of Trump’s visit, US manufacturer, Lockheed Martin also offered a helping hand to India in developing next-generation advanced aircraft equipped for multi-role combat.

The American aerospace giant that manufactures fighter jets such as F-16s and F-35s, has also offered to cooperate with India to help develop Indian-built Tejas into a much more effective fighter plane.

The US remains the top trading partner for India; the bilateral trade between the two countries is approximately 62 per cent in goods and 38 percent in services.

India, on the other hand, has been improving ties with Russia, in a move that aggravated Washington and prompted it to threaten New Delhi with sanctions earlier in January over a plan to purchase advanced Russian-made S-400 missile defense systems.

India, however, said it can make its own arms purchases independently, with its external affairs minister stressing last November that New Delhi would “not be influenced by other countries on what we do in terms of our national security and defense.”