Recasts lead with Indian government statement, adds details and background throughout, changes media identifier

MUMBAI, June 24 (Reuters) - India and the United States have discussed pathways to conclude an interim trade deal, the Indian government said in a statement on Wednesday, after talks between its trade minister Piyush Goyal and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.

Greer, the top U.S. trade diplomat, is in India for two-day talks over a deal seen as crucial to mending bilateral ties amid diplomatic tensions.

His trip follows the first meeting in more than a year between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump on ​June 17 on the sidelines of the G7 summit.

The two sides had made substantial progress in trade talks in recent months, the Indian government said, adding they were committed to an agreement that is "balanced and commercially meaningful".

An initial understanding on trade was reached in February, but uncertainty persists over a continuing U.S. ​Section 301 probe into alleged overcapacity and forced labour.

Under the deal, New Delhi is seeking a competitive tariff edge over regional peers.

In February, ⁠the two sides agreed to 18% tariffs on Indian goods in exchange for New Delhi lowering trade barriers and buying more American ​goods. But a final deal was clouded by the U.S. Supreme Court ruling invalidating Trump's sweeping global tariffs.

After India, Greer is scheduled to visit Uzbekistan, where he will meet President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and other top officials to discuss trade ties with the United States.