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US Ambassador Sergio Gor says a US India interim trade deal could be finalised in coming weeks, as he called the ties “remarkable”.
US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi shake hands at the White House in Washington DC. (Source: Reuters)
United States Ambassador to India Sergio Gor on Thursday said that his country is confident about finalising an interim trade agreement with India in the “coming weeks”.
“Our current interim trade agreement is on the table to be finalised, unlocking prosperity for both nations. We look forward to completing the details of a new bilateral trade agreement (BTA) that will expand market access, reduce barriers, and create greater certainty for businesses on both sides. This agreement, if done right, will strengthen supply chains, catalyse new investments, and drive sustained inclusive growth, bringing tangible benefits to industries, workers, and economies,” Gor stated.
The envoy said that the US delegation will be visiting New Delhi in June for further discussions on the trade deal, hinting at the growing momentum.
“Last month, an Indian delegation visited Washington, D.C. to help finalise the trade deal. Next month, a US delegation will also focus on the agreement… Negotiations have been ongoing for a year and a half, but to put it in perspective, the European Union took almost 19 years. We are confident that in the coming weeks and months, this trade deal will be finalised,” he added.
Gor stated that the trade negotiations between the two countries have significantly accelerated and entered a crucial phase which is likely to pave the way for a broader Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) in the future.
“President Trump’s goal is to facilitate bilateral trade in a way that creates lucrative opportunities for American businesses and workers,” he said.
Gor said India’s growing manufacturing base, digital ecosystem, innovation strength, and skilled workforce complement America’s expertise in technology, investment, research, and entrepreneurship. He noted that both countries aim to achieve $500 billion in bilateral trade by 2030, reflecting deep economic ties, growing trust, and vast opportunities for cooperation.
India-US Ties Stand At A Remarkable Moment: Gor
He added that the ties between India and the US stand at a “remarkable moment”.
“India’s expanding manufacturing ecosystem, digital infrastructure, innovation capabilities, and skilled talent pool complement America’s leadership in technology, investment, advanced research, and entrepreneurship. Our shared ambition of achieving $500 billion in bilateral trade by 2030 reflects the connectivity between our economies, the confidence built, and the scale of opportunity,” the envoy said.
“We stand at a remarkable moment. Over the last two decades, bilateral trade has grown from about $20 billion to over $220 billion in goods and services — an eleven‑fold increase that reflects deep trust and strengthened economic integration. Today, the United States and India are among each other’s top trading partners,” he added.
India-US Trade Deal
The framework for the proposed interim trade pact was established through a joint India-US statement released on February 7. However, negotiations took a new turn after the US Supreme Court invalidated reciprocal tariffs that had been a major leverage point for the Trump administration in trade talks with several partner nations.
In the aftermath of the ruling, the US introduced a temporary 10% auxiliary tariff on imported goods under Section 122 of the Trade Act, effective for 150 days from February 24.
To carry forward negotiations under the February framework, an Indian delegation travelled to Washington last month for further discussions on the bilateral trade agreement, which was formally proposed in February 2025.
Responding to questions over the pace of negotiations, the US ambassador said the pact would be concluded far quicker than many of India’s other trade agreements. “Agreement with the European Union took 19 years,” he said. The US-EU deal finalised last August is currently in the implementation phase.
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