US-India Trade Deal ‘Very Close’ to Finalization, Says Envoy Sergio Gor
New Delhi: The highly anticipated trade agreement between India and the United States is nearing a conclusion, according to US Ambassador Sergio Gor. Speaking in an exclusive interview, the American envoy—a close associate of President Donald Trump—confirmed that both nations are moving toward a final consensus, emphasizing that the deal remains a top priority for both administrations.
“We are very close, and at some point, it will get finalized,” Ambassador Gor stated, noting that while the process has been intricate, the intent remains to forge a “win-win” arrangement for both economies. The negotiations, which have been ongoing since early 2025, were briefly delayed by a US Supreme Court ruling that necessitated a restructuring of certain tariff-related provisions.
Progress on Legal Drafting
The sentiment of optimism was echoed by India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal during an event in the capital. Goyal confirmed that the first tranche of the bilateral pact has been finalized in principle and is currently undergoing rigorous legal drafting.
“We hope to be able to finalize that soon and operationalize it once we get a comparable or competitive advantage over our peer countries,” Goyal noted. While critics have pointed to the lengthy timeline, both sides maintain that the complexity of the agreement is necessary to ensure long-term stability and to address systemic issues such as non-tariff barriers and market access.
Ambitious Trade Targets
Ambassador Gor highlighted the remarkable trajectory of India-US economic relations, noting that bilateral trade has increased tenfold over the last two decades, currently exceeding the $250 billion mark. Looking ahead, the leadership of both nations has set a bold objective: achieving $500 billion in bilateral trade within the next three years.
“Our two leaders have set a very ambitious goal,” Gor said, citing the pharmaceutical and IT sectors as key pillars of this growth. He further pointed out that the US embassy in India has been exceptionally successful in facilitating investment, securing over $20 billion in new commitments, which surpasses the performance of many other US missions globally.
Security and Strategic Cooperation
Beyond trade, the strategic partnership between New Delhi and Washington continues to deepen. Addressing questions regarding potential defense acquisitions, specifically regarding the F-35 fighter jet, the Ambassador underscored the “trusted partner” status that India holds. He pointed to the recent increase in joint military exercises, noting that the presence of high-end assets like the F-35 in India during training drills serves as a testament to the strength of the security alliance.
High-Level Visits Ahead
Diplomatic engagement is set to intensify in the coming weeks. Ambassador Gor confirmed that the US Attorney General is expected to visit India in November to participate in a high-level counter-narcotics conference. This visit underscores the shared commitment of both countries to tackling the illicit drug trade.
Additionally, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to arrive in India soon. His itinerary includes meetings with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in Mumbai, along with a planned visit to Jamnagar, further signaling the expansion of the bilateral relationship into energy, technology, and regional security cooperation.
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