Trade Deal – India and US Near Final Agreement After Extended Negotiations
Trade Deal – The long-awaited trade agreement between India and the United States has entered its final phase, with only a small portion of negotiations still pending. Speaking at the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum Leadership Summit on Tuesday, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor expressed confidence that the deal would soon be concluded after nearly 18 months of discussions. He said both governments have resolved most issues and are now working through the remaining details before reaching a formal agreement.
Negotiations Reach Final Stage
According to Ambassador Gor, the proposed agreement is almost complete, with just a few outstanding matters awaiting resolution on both sides. He described the remaining negotiations as representing only the final one percent of the overall process. Emphasizing the value of the agreement, he said the objective has always been to create a mutually beneficial framework that supports economic growth and strengthens commercial ties between the two countries.
He also noted that lengthy negotiations are common in major international trade agreements. Drawing a comparison, Gor pointed out that a similar trade arrangement involving Europe required around two decades to complete, while India and the United States have moved considerably faster despite the complexity of the discussions.
Strong Political Relationship Supports Progress
The ambassador credited the close engagement between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for helping maintain positive momentum in bilateral relations. He said the personal understanding between the two leaders has played an important role in expanding cooperation across several sectors, including trade and strategic partnerships.
Gor also recalled President Trump’s previous visit to India, describing it as a memorable experience that the US President continues to speak about positively. He added that he hopes President Trump will have another opportunity to visit India in the future, further strengthening ties between the two nations.
Trade Agreement Expected to Benefit Businesses
Highlighting the economic significance of the proposed pact, Gor said the agreement is expected to provide greater certainty and stability for companies engaged in cross-border business. He explained that businesses involved in bilateral trade would benefit from a more predictable commercial environment, encouraging investment and expanding economic opportunities.
He added that negotiations have intensified in recent weeks, with senior officials from both countries holding multiple rounds of discussions. Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal recently traveled to New York for trade-related meetings, followed by US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer’s visit to New Delhi as part of the ongoing negotiations.
Bilateral Trade Continues Rapid Expansion
The ambassador observed that commercial relations between India and the United States have grown significantly over the past two decades. Bilateral trade, which stood at approximately USD 20 billion years ago, has now expanded to nearly USD 220 billion. He described this progress as a major achievement and expressed confidence that the partnership is prepared for another phase of substantial growth.
Gor also referred to the shared objective announced by President Trump and Prime Minister Modi to increase bilateral trade to USD 500 billion over the coming years. He described the target as ambitious but achievable, reflecting the growing economic partnership between the world’s two largest democracies.
Quad Meeting Scheduled Soon
During his address, Ambassador Gor also announced that the foreign ministers of the Quad grouping are expected to meet in the Philippines within the next two weeks. The meeting is expected to focus on strengthening regional cooperation and advancing shared strategic priorities among member countries.
Reaffirming Washington’s commitment to deeper engagement with India, Gor said the United States is prepared to expand cooperation across multiple sectors. He also noted that India remains one of America’s most significant trading partners, with Indian exports to the United States continuing to grow steadily.