NEW DELHI: External affairs minister S Jaishankar met a three-member US Congressional delegation along with US ambassador to India Sergio Gor. He later said in a post on X he had a good interaction with the delegation and discussed various aspects of India-US ties, along with the Indo-Pacific and Ukraine conflict.“Congressional interactions have always been an important facet of our relationship,” said the minister.According to Gor, they had a productive meeting on ways to strengthen US-India partnership for stronger security, expanded trade and cooperation on critical technologies. The meeting came at a time both sides are looking to finally conclude negotiations for a bilateral trade deal that has remained elusive amidst general dissonance in bilateral ties. The delegation comprised two Republican Congressmen, Jimmy Patronis and Mike Rogers, and Democrat Adam Smith. The India-US ties witnessed a major downturn after US President Donald Trump slapped 50% tariff on Indian goods, including a 25% punitive levy over Russian oil purchases. Both sides have held multiple rounds of negotiations last year to firm up the proposed trade deal. However, it could not be sealed yet largely in view of Washington’s demands to open up India’s farm and dairy sectors.