India-US Trade Deal Near Completion as Both Sides Push to Finalise Agreement, Says US Ambassador
The United States is optimistic that a long-awaited bilateral trade agreement with India could be finalised in the coming weeks or months, according to US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor.
Speaking on Friday, Gor said that negotiations had reached the final stages, with only a small portion of the agreement left to be resolved.
Addressing participants at the US-India TRUST Initiative event at IIT Delhi, Gor revealed that an Indian delegation had recently travelled to Washington, DC, to work on the remaining details of the proposed trade pact.
He added that a US delegation is scheduled to visit India next week to continue discussions and help conclude the negotiations.
Expressing confidence in the progress made so far, the ambassador said both sides expect the agreement to be signed soon, describing the remaining issues as minimal and manageable.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs echoed that optimism. Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that recent rounds of talks in the United States had been productive and constructive.
He noted that another round of negotiations would take place in India next week when the visiting US team arrives to carry forward the discussions.
Earlier, the Commerce Ministry had announced that a senior US trade delegation would visit India from June 1 to June 4 to address the remaining points of contention and move the proposed agreement closer to completion.
Gor’s remarks came shortly after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio concluded a four-day visit to India.
During his visit, Rubio sought to reinforce ties between the two countries, describing the relationship as a strategic partnership capable of shaping global developments.
He also said both nations were close to finalising a trade deal that would be sustainable and mutually beneficial.
Highlighting the broader relationship between the two countries, Gor said the possibilities for deeper cooperation are immense.
He stressed that India’s growing importance extends far beyond economics, positioning it as a key strategic partner on the global stage.
The ambassador also pointed to the TRUST initiative—Transforming the Relationship Utilising Strategic Technologies—which was launched during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Washington earlier this year.
According to Gor, the initiative is creating new opportunities for collaboration in cutting-edge sectors including artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum computing, biotechnology, energy and space technology.
Reflecting on the remarkable growth of economic ties, Gor noted that trade in goods and services between India and the US has surged from approximately USD 20 billion two decades ago to more than USD 220 billion today, underscoring the strength of the partnership.
He emphasised that Washington is increasingly prioritising partnerships with countries it views as reliable and trusted technology collaborators. India, he said, is among the most important of those partners.
Gor also highlighted India’s participation in the Pax Silica initiative, a US-led effort designed to strengthen global technology networks and secure supply chains.
He said India’s inclusion among the first group of participating countries reflects the high level of trust Washington places in the country’s institutions, talent and technological capabilities.
According to the ambassador, India’s involvement in the initiative will help integrate it into a trusted ecosystem focused on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, semiconductor manufacturing and quantum computing.
Discussing artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure, Gor said several leading American technology companies are significantly expanding their investments in India.
He cited Amazon’s plan to invest USD 35 billion by 2030, Microsoft’s USD 17.5 billion commitment toward cloud infrastructure expansion, and Google’s ongoing subsea cable landing project as examples of growing confidence in India’s technology landscape.
The ambassador also underscored the importance of India’s pharmaceutical industry to the United States.
He noted that nearly 40 per cent of generic medicines imported by the US originate from India, demonstrating the trust placed in Indian manufacturers to provide affordable and life-saving healthcare products.
On space cooperation, Gor pointed to recent milestones such as the NASA-ISRO NISAR mission and India’s participation in the Axiom-4 mission.
He added that collaboration is also expanding under the Artemis Accords, opening up new opportunities in commercial space exploration and research.
Turning to critical minerals, Gor welcomed India’s National Critical Minerals Mission and said both countries are working together to strengthen supply chains, boost processing and recycling capabilities, and encourage joint research in this strategically important sector.
Looking ahead, the ambassador argued that few global partnerships are better positioned than the India-US relationship to capitalise on emerging opportunities, particularly in advanced technologies and innovation-driven industries.
He concluded by noting that the United States is reviewing and recalibrating its export-control policies, a move that could further strengthen cooperation with India in sensitive and high-technology sectors, paving the way for an even deeper strategic partnership in the years ahead.
