Negotiations on the proposed India-US trade agreement are entering their final phase, with only a handful of issues left to be resolved, according to US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor. Speaking during an interaction in Washington, Gor expressed confidence that the long-awaited deal could be finalized within the next few weeks or months.
Final Negotiations Underway
Gor revealed that recent discussions in New Delhi between US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal helped advance the negotiations significantly. He said the remaining work largely involves finalizing the legal language of the agreement before both countries sign the deal.
The ambassador noted that while only a few issues remain, drafting mutually acceptable language is a critical step in concluding the trade pact.
Trade Deals Take Time
Addressing concerns over the pace of negotiations, Gor pointed out that major international trade agreements often take years to complete. He said the India-US trade deal has been under negotiation for around a year and a half, adding that some global trade agreements have taken decades to conclude.
He expressed optimism that the current trajectory of discussions would help both countries successfully finalize the agreement in the near future.
Modi-Trump Meeting Focused on Trade and Defence
Gor also described the recent meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France as highly productive. According to the envoy, the leaders spent over an hour discussing several important issues, including trade, defence cooperation, and other bilateral priorities.
He hinted that some outcomes from the discussions could be announced in the coming weeks.
Growing India-US Partnership
Reflecting on his first six months in India, Gor praised the country’s rapid growth and enormous economic potential. He said his travels across India reinforced his belief that the partnership between New Delhi and Washington can expand across multiple sectors.
The envoy highlighted pharmaceuticals, information technology, defence, and other strategic industries as key areas where both countries can strengthen cooperation and unlock new opportunities.