Trade Deal Nears Finalization
United States Ambassador to India Sergio Gor declared on Monday that the India-US bilateral trade agreement is in its final stages, with negotiators resolving the last 1-2% of the legal text. Speaking at the IX US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) Leadership Summit 2026 in Washington DC, Gor dismissed rumors of diplomatic friction and reaffirmed President Donald Trump's commitment to a win-win partnership.
The trade pact, under development for 18 months, faced a brief setback due to a recent Supreme Court intervention. However, Gor confirmed that high-level diplomacy over the past week restored momentum. US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Lee Greer's two-day visit to New Delhi was pivotal in salvaging progress.
Supreme Court Delay Overcome
"That trade deal, we thought, was done until the Supreme Court decided to have another way," Gor explained. "We continue to pursue that, and we are very close. Just last week, USTR Ambassador Greer visited us in New Delhi for two days, and we are hopefully in the final steps. Most of this deal is complete. There are a few items that remain from both sides, but it's in the last 1 or 2%."
The ambassador emphasized that the timeline compares favorably with other trade negotiations, noting that the European trade deal took 20 years. "People ask me why this is taking so long? We've been at this for a year and a half. To put it into perspective, the European trade deal took 20 years. As long as we beat the European deal, I think we're in good shape."
Record Investment Figures Highlighted
Gor revealed that the US Mission in India facilitated $20.5 billion in new investments flowing into the United States this year, far outpacing European embassies. "You have these beautiful embassies in Europe and they come up on stage and say 'We're proud to announce five hundred million dollars', 'seven hundred million dollars'. Our embassy in New Delhi, this year, we were very proud to announce that we brought in $20.5 billion in new investment."
The ambassador shared insights from a private two-hour meeting with President Trump, confirming the president's strong interest in India. "He was captivated by what I had seen in India. He has very fond memories of India. His last visit was one of the most remarkable visits that he continues to talk about. He holds India in a very fond place."
Unlimited Potential in Technology and Defense
Gor outlined a future framework built on unlimited potential across deep technology corridors, defense integration, and artificial intelligence. "There is not a day that goes by that a new item pops up for the two countries to work together. Whether that's AI, technology, defense, it's unlimited potential. And I aim to harvest that and to bring the two sides together. It comes down to that win-win situation."
To counter geopolitical skeptics, Gor presented concrete data: India exports more goods and services to the US than to any other nation, and the US conducts more joint military exercises with India than with any other global partner. "So to all those pundits that sit online and tweet and say this relationship is in trouble—when you look at the facts, whether it's trade, defense, or people-to-people ties, the relationship is on strong footing."
Path to $500 Billion Bilateral Trade Target
The immediate focus is on clearing remaining legal language to lock in the $500 billion bilateral trade target championed by President Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Gor reiterated the US commitment to working hand in hand with India, emphasizing that the deal will benefit both nations.
