In an exclusive interview with IANS at the White House, Gor expressed confidence that the agreement would be completed within the next few weeks or months. He said the negotiations have advanced at an exceptionally rapid pace compared with several other major international trade agreements.
"A great deal of the remaining work involves the legal language that must be finalised," Gor said while referring to the final phase of negotiations.
The Ambassador revealed that he recently participated in meetings in New Delhi with United States Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer and Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal. Describing the discussions as highly productive, Gor said only a limited number of issues remain unresolved.
"I was in those meetings just 48 hours ago with Ambassador Jamieson Greer in Delhi, and we met with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, who is a great friend of mine. It was very productive," Gor said.
"There are only a handful of issues that remain. Much of the work now is focused on the legal language that both sides will ultimately sign. We are confident that over the next few weeks or the next few months, the agreement will be completed," he added.
Placing the negotiations in a broader context, Gor said the proposed India-United States trade agreement has been under discussion for only about eighteen months, a comparatively short period for such a comprehensive arrangement.
"To put it into perspective, we have been working on this agreement for a year and a half. The European Union agreement, which is still not completed, has been under negotiation for twenty years. Many people ask why this process is taking so long, but we are on an extraordinary path toward completing it," he said.
While declining to disclose the contents of the proposed agreement, Gor said both governments are working to achieve an outcome that serves the interests of both countries.
"I do not want to reveal too much. You will have to wait and see. When both sides find common ground and identify measures that benefit each country, that is when an agreement is reached," he said.
The Ambassador also indicated that United States President Donald Trump remains eager to visit India following his recent meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in France.
"I do not have exact dates yet," Gor said. "I have just left the President after spending several hours with him in the Oval Office. One of the questions he asked was, 'When am I coming?' He is very keen to visit India. The Prime Minister extended an invitation, and I believe the visit will take place at some point."
Although Gor did not specify a timeline because of the upcoming United States midterm elections, he emphasised that India remains one of the President's highest foreign policy priorities.
"We have midterm elections approaching in the United States, and the President has a demanding domestic schedule. Even so, India is high on the list of countries he intends to visit soon," he said.
Gor further stated that the longstanding personal relationship between President Trump and Prime Minister Modi continues to serve as a strong foundation for the India-United States partnership despite periodic speculation about tensions in bilateral relations.
"I believe our relationship is in an excellent position. One of the strongest pillars of that partnership is the relationship between the President and the Prime Minister, which has always remained strong," he said.
"The President and the Prime Minister are close friends. Their relationship extends back many years and will continue to remain strong in the years ahead," Gor added.
India and the United States have been negotiating the first phase of a bilateral trade agreement aimed at expanding market access, reducing tariff barriers and strengthening economic cooperation. Both governments have repeatedly identified the agreement as a priority and have been working to conclude an initial arrangement before advancing toward a broader trade framework.
Trade has emerged as one of the fastest-growing pillars of the India-United States strategic partnership, which also encompasses defence, technology, critical and emerging technologies, energy, education and people-to-people relations. The proposed trade agreement is expected to further strengthen economic integration while reinforcing cooperation across multiple strategic sectors in the Indo-Pacific region, highlighting the growing depth and significance of bilateral ties between the two countries.
About The Author
Comment List