India and the United States continue to remain in close contact over a proposed trade agreement, according to Sergio Gor, the newly appointed US ambassador to India, during his recent visit to New Delhi.
Gor said discussions on the trade deal are ongoing and confirmed that another round of talks was scheduled for Tuesday, though he did not disclose details about the participants or agenda.
He also underlined the personal rapport between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, describing their relationship as genuine. “Real friendships allow space for disagreements, but they also find ways to resolve differences,” Gor remarked.
His comments come at a time when differences have surfaced publicly, with some American officials recently suggesting that India was responsible for delays in finalising the agreement—an assertion New Delhi has firmly rejected.
Tariffs and Key Sticking Points
Trade ties between the two countries have faced pressure since the United States imposed steep tariffs of up to 50% on certain Indian exports in August, among the highest applied to any Asian nation. These measures also included penalties linked to India’s continued purchase of Russian crude oil.
Washington has been pressing for broader access to India’s agricultural market, a long-standing issue where New Delhi has maintained a cautious stance, citing domestic interests.
Ambassador’s Formal Welcome in Delhi
Although Gor took oath at the White House in November, he is yet to officially present his credentials to India’s President. On Monday, however, he was formally welcomed at an event in Delhi, marking his public debut as ambassador.
The ceremony carried a celebratory tone, with carefully planned arrangements and a warm reception. Music selections—ranging from classic American tracks to popular anthems—played in the background, reflecting the ambassador’s personal choices.
Addressing reporters, Gor described India as one of America’s most critical global partners, stating that the bilateral relationship has the potential to become one of the defining partnerships of this century. He acknowledged the complexity of reaching an agreement with a country of India’s scale but stressed that both sides remain committed to the goal.
Beyond trade, he noted that India and the US are working closely across multiple sectors, including defence, counterterrorism, energy, technology, education and healthcare.
Diplomatic Undercurrents Remain
While ties between Donald Trump and Modi were once considered especially warm, recent months have seen differences emerge over issues such as trade and India’s position on mediation in its dispute with Pakistan. Despite this, the two leaders have continued periodic communication.
India’s foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said last week that both countries have come close to sealing a deal several times and remain actively engaged in negotiations.
His remarks followed comments by US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who claimed that talks stalled due to the absence of a direct call between Modi and Trump. India dismissed this characterisation, calling it inaccurate.
Meanwhile, President Trump has warned of further tariff hikes if India does not reduce its imports of Russian oil. Separately, US Senator Lindsey Graham said that Trump has approved a tough sanctions proposal against Russia, which could impose secondary penalties on countries continuing business with Moscow.
Jaiswal said India is monitoring these developments closely.
India significantly increased purchases of Russian oil after Western countries imposed sanctions following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, arguing that energy security for its large population was a priority. However, reports suggest Indian refiners have started scaling back imports since the new US tariffs took effect.
Despite being among the first nations to enter trade discussions with Washington, India is now one of the last major economies yet to conclude a formal trade agreement with the United States.
Get Latest News Live on Storify News along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from US News, Trump News, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, Kamala Harris, Entertainment, Technology and around the world.
