India-US Finalising 'Text' Of Trade Deal, Says Amb Sergio Gor

The United States and India have completed almost all substantive aspects of their proposed trade agreement, with only legal and technical language being worked out, according to US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor.

"The trade deal is, in principle, almost everything is done," Gor said while addressing The Economic Times World Leaders Forum on Saturday.

He added that Washington is currently "reconfiguring" some of the text. He said the delay in finalising the pact was largely due to the need to settle legal and technical language.

Gor also said the India-US relationship would "define the global stage", highlighting New Delhi’s growing importance to Washington, as per ET.

US Russia Sanctions Bill

On a proposed US bill seeking to impose a 100% tariff on countries purchasing Russian oil, Gor distinguished between the legislation being pushed by Congress and the position of the Trump administration.

The bill is being "pushed by the Congress in a very bipartisan way," he said.

"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, as per ET.

Gor noted that the measure had passed the Senate in an "overwhelmingly bipartisan vote", while stressing that Trump has sought to end the Russia-Ukraine war since taking office.

Gor Highlights Trump-Modi Relationship

Gor described US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi as having a "deep and personal friendship", saying both leaders are focused on quick action and results.

He said Trump believes Modi stood by him after his defeat in the 2020 US presidential election, when many others criticised him.

"A lot of people from around the world criticised the President... But India did not. Your Prime Minister Modi did not," Gor said, adding that Trump remembers that support. "So he (Trump) holds that friendship in a very special place," he said.

"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, and so that makes this relationship work because they trust each other," Gor remarked, as per ET.

Rubio Set To Return To India

Gor also pointed to the frequency of senior US officials visiting India as evidence of the importance Washington attaches to the relationship.

"India matters to us, and we want to have the highest individuals from our government being here and participating," he said.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who spent five days in India in May, is scheduled to return for another several-day visit in October, Gor said.

On US ties with China and US supporting the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, Gor said Washington has to maintain relations with governments around the world, regardless of differences.

"You can’t pick who your neighbours are," he said. "And the reality is, whether we like it or not, we have to work with the governments that are there," Gor added.