US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor stated on Monday that the interim bilateral trade agreement between the United States and India is nearing the finish line, explicitly recognizing New Delhi's growing global influence. Speaking at the IX USISPF Leadership Summit 2026, Gor affirmed Washington's desire to work hand-in-hand with New Delhi and expressed optimism about a strengthened partnership.
"We're this close to getting another big deal done with India, and we're looking forward to bringing that across the finish line. The United States wants to work hand-in-hand with India. India's rise is here, India has arrived, we recognize that, we want to partner with India," Gor said.
Enduring Democratic Bonds
Gor underscored the foundational ties between the world's oldest and largest democracies, emphasizing that the relationship is built to last. He recounted a recent diplomatic visit to New Delhi where an Indian minister told him: "No matter what you hear in the news, 50 years from now, our two countries will still be friends. You're the world's oldest democracy, we're the world's largest democracy." The minister added that both nations share principles of democracy, including robust oppositions, which not every country has. Gor noted that these commonalities will sustain the partnership for decades.
Opportunities Across Sectors
The US envoy highlighted vast opportunities for collaboration across sectors such as AI, technology, and aviation. He said the next two years will set the relationship on a path for several decades, calling it a long-term project. "These next two years will set the relationship on a path for several decades ahead. And so for everyone here who participates in this, think of this as a long-term project. This is not a one-year or two-year, but what we sow now will continue to sustain us decades ahead," Gor stated.
Trade Negotiations Progress
Gor's remarks follow a series of high-level meetings between Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Piyush Goyal and US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer in New Delhi last week. The discussions focused on accelerating bilateral trade negotiations and identifying new strategic avenues to deepen economic ties. The morning session included a comprehensive review of the current trade roadmap, with both delegations engaging in what Goyal described as "constructive and forward-looking" deliberations aimed at resolving outstanding issues and streamlining market access.
In a post on X, Goyal said: "Concluded a series of meetings with @USTradeRep Ambassador Jamieson Greer and his delegation this morning. We reviewed progress of the ongoing India-U.S. trade discussions and explored avenues to further deepen our economic partnership. I appreciate Ambassador Greer's leadership and the sustained efforts of both teams in advancing our discussions in a constructive and forward-looking manner."
Shared Goals for Resilient Supply Chains
Both sides reiterated their shared goal of expanding bilateral trade, fostering innovation, and building resilient, trusted supply chains, recognizing the growing significance of the India-US economic partnership amid evolving global trade dynamics. The Ministry of Commerce issued a statement confirming these objectives.
