US-India trade deal almost finalised in principle: US envoy Sergio Gor
The proposed US-India trade agreement is almost finalised in principle, with the two sides now working to settle the remaining legal and technical language, according to US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor.
Speaking at a media event in the national capital, Gor said the broad contours of the agreement had been settled and that the remaining work involved reconfiguring and finalising certain portions of the text.
“The trade deal is, in principle, almost everything is done,” Gor said, attributing the delay in concluding the agreement largely to the need to work through legal and technical language.
The US envoy also addressed concerns over a proposed legislation in the US Congress that could impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on countries purchasing Russian oil.
He said the measure was being pushed by lawmakers from both sides of the political aisle and stressed that it was not an initiative being advocated by the White House.
“This is not something that you have seen the White House advocate. You won't find a clip of President Trump pushing it,” Gor said.
Acknowledging that such a measure could have implications for India, he said US President Donald Trump remained focused on bringing the Russia-Ukraine conflict to an end.
“President from day one has been wanting to end this war between Russia and Ukraine, and he's determined,” Gor said, calling an end to the conflict “vitally important”.
Gor also highlighted the close relationship between Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, describing their ties as a “deep and personal friendship”. He said both leaders were action-oriented, focused on results and keen to move quickly on issues of mutual interest.
“They are both forward leaning, and they want action fast, and they’re results-driven. Our President has tremendous respect for the Prime Minister,” he said.
Recalling the period when Trump was out of office following the 2020 US presidential election, Gor said PM Modi's continued support had left a lasting impression on the US President.
“When you're up, when you're in the Oval Office, everybody wants to be your friend. But when you're out, that's when you can really realise who your friends are. And Prime Minister Narendra Modi was a true friend to him at that time,” he said.
According to Gor, the mutual trust between the two leaders has further strengthened the relationship between India and the US.
