United States Ambassador to India Sergio Gor has announced that the landmark trade agreement between India and the United States is nearly complete, with negotiations reaching the 99% mark. The final 1% is currently being finalized, focusing on technical legal phrasing and implementation timelines.
Optimism and Progress
Speaking on the sidelines of the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry's 2026 India Conference in Mumbai, Ambassador Gor expressed strong optimism about the imminent conclusion of the deal. He contrasted the swift progress of the India-US talks, which have advanced significantly in just 1.5 years, with the years it took for India to finalize its trade pact with the European Union.
"We are 99% there, the last 1% we are working on. We are very optimistic that this will get done. It will be a win-win situation for both the US and India," Gor stated.
Remaining Sticking Points
Addressing questions about the unresolved issues, Gor clarified that the remaining one percent primarily involves technical legal phrasing and implementation timelines. He emphasized that negotiations require concessions from both sides to achieve a mutually beneficial outcome.
"In these negotiations, each side has to give something, because that's what identifies the win-win situations," Gor remarked, praising India's "incredible negotiators" for their steadfastness.
Upcoming Meetings
Ambassador Gor is scheduled to return to New Delhi to meet with Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal. A large visiting US trade delegation is currently engaging with India's Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of External Affairs.
Strong Leadership Ties
Dismissing occasional negative rhetoric, Gor highlighted the robust personal rapport between US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He noted that their strong and growing relationship is the core reason the trade deal has advanced so rapidly.
US-Iran Conflict and Energy Costs
Gor also faced questions regarding the ongoing US-Iran conflict and escalating global energy costs. He fiercely defended the US position, attributing the blame entirely to Tehran's "very reckless regime" for attacking neighboring Gulf states and holding global trade hostage through its stance in the Strait of Hormuz.
Reaffirming Washington's absolute opposition to Iran's nuclear ambitions, Gor defined it as a non-negotiable red line for the Trump administration.
"Imagine if those ICBMs now were nuclear armed, what the devastation on that region would be. And that has been the red line for the United States--that Iran will not have a nuclear weapon. We cannot have another terrorist state in the Middle East that will shoot down any of its neighbours now with a nuclear weapon," Gor said.
He added that Iranian missiles targeting commercial vessels have tragically resulted in the deaths of Indian nationals, a situation the US President will not allow to continue.
