Is the India-US Trade Deal Finally on the Horizon? Insights from Ambassador Sergio Gor

Progress on the India-US Trade Agreement

In Mumbai, US Ambassador Sergio Gor announced that the trade agreement between India and the United States is nearly finalized, with 99% of the deal completed. He expressed optimism that the remaining issues would be resolved soon, paving the way for the long-anticipated agreement to be signed in the coming weeks.

Ambassador Gor, who also acts as the Special Envoy for South and Central Asia, emphasized that the US offers lower tariffs to India compared to its neighboring countries, underscoring the importance of the US-India relationship.

During his address at Citi's 2026 India Conference, he highlighted the enduring connection between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former President Donald Trump, noting that Modi maintained communication with Trump throughout his absence from office between January 2021 and January 2025.

Gor remarked, "Your prime minister typically refrains from criticizing the president. He has kept in touch during those years, which is something the president appreciates."

He further illustrated the bond between the two leaders, stating that while many European leaders seek favor with the US president, true friendship is revealed in challenging times, a sentiment that resonates with Trump regarding Modi.

Currently, a US delegation is in India to finalize the bilateral trade agreement. Negotiators from both nations commenced a three-day discussion in New Delhi to iron out the details of the interim trade pact, which was initially outlined in February. The US team is led by chief negotiator Brendan Lynch, while India’s counterpart is Darpan Jain, an additional secretary in the Department of Commerce.

Gor noted the significance of this relationship, stating, "Once the trade deal is finalized, it will be a significant milestone. We are focused on overcoming that last 1% to enable the leaders to sign and formalize the agreement."

The young ambassador expressed confidence that the deal would be completed soon, stating, "We are hopeful that this will be accomplished in the next few weeks, not years. We are very close to finalizing it."

When asked about the remaining sticking points, Gor acknowledged that a few items are still under negotiation, emphasizing the need for both sides to make concessions to achieve a mutually beneficial outcome.

He praised India's negotiation skills, noting that the complexity of the deal stems from India's historical stance on various issues, which has made it challenging for the US to reach an agreement. He referenced the lengthy negotiations the European Union faced with India, which took 19 years.

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal recently stated that most elements of the first phase of the trade agreement have been settled, with discussions now centered on minor details.

Gor also addressed inquiries regarding the US Trade Representative's recent investigations into forced labor and industrial capacity, clarifying that the tariffs imposed were global and not specifically aimed at India.