The United States and India are actively engaged in bilateral trade talks aimed at deepening their economic and strategic partnership, the US ambassador-designate to New Delhi has said. The discussions come amid strains over India’s purchases of Russian crude oil and the imposition of 50% US tariffs. The two sides are set to hold another trade call on Tuesday. India will also be invited to join the US-led ‘Pax Silica’ initiative to build a secure silicon supply chain, even as both countries continue cooperation in trade, security, technology and energy.