WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — The United States and India continue to strengthen their strategic partnership, with both countries moving closer to a major trade agreement, U.S. Ambassador to India and U.S. Special Envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs Sergio Gor said Sunday.
Speaking at the ninth U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum Leadership Summit, Gor rejected claims that the relationship has weakened. Instead, he pointed to steady progress in trade, defense, technology, investment, and people-to-people ties. He said the partnership remains strong and continues to grow across several key sectors.
Gor stressed that many critics focus on speculation instead of facts. He said the numbers tell a different story because cooperation continues to expand. He also urged businesses and stakeholders to help push the relationship to an even higher level.
Moreover, Gor described the Trump administration as focused on practical results rather than symbolic gestures. He said his mission in India centers on building stronger cooperation and delivering measurable progress for both countries. According to him, the administration wants to deepen the partnership through concrete actions instead of political messaging.
A major focus remains the long-awaited India-U.S. trade agreement. Gor said negotiators have reached the final stage of discussions. He explained that both sides have resolved most issues and now need to complete only the last few details.
He noted that U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer recently spent two days in New Delhi to advance the talks. Gor added that negotiators have finished almost all of the work and remain close to announcing the agreement.
At the same time, he acknowledged that large trade negotiations often take time. He pointed out that discussions on the India-U.S. trade deal have continued for about a year and a half. By comparison, he said, the trade agreement between the United States and Europe took about 20 years to complete. Therefore, he expressed confidence that both countries can soon reach a successful conclusion.
Gor also said the agreement would create greater certainty for businesses. In addition, he explained that stable trade rules would encourage companies to invest with greater confidence. He described the deal as a win-win outcome that would benefit both economies.
Technology has also become a major part of the growing relationship. Gor highlighted India’s invitation to join the Pax AI initiative. He said the United States selected only a small group of trusted partners for the program. According to him, India’s inclusion reflects the high level of trust between the two governments and their shared commitment to future cooperation in artificial intelligence.
Furthermore, Gor said he has witnessed tremendous opportunities during his first six months in India. He pointed to artificial intelligence, advanced technology, defense, and innovation as areas with significant growth potential. He added that the United States wants to work closely with India because both nations share long-term interests.
Gor also said President Donald Trump places great importance on the bilateral relationship. He recalled recent conversations with the president, who, according to Gor, continues to speak warmly about his previous visit to India. Gor added that Trump hopes to return to the country in the future.
Investment also remains a key pillar of the partnership. Gor said the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi helped facilitate $20.5 billion in new investments into the United States this year. He noted that the embassy ranks first among U.S. diplomatic missions worldwide for attracting investment.
However, Gor said American companies continue to seek stronger protections for intellectual property, fair taxation policies, and a stable regulatory environment before making major investments abroad. Even so, he emphasized that the United States trusts India and looks forward to identifying more opportunities for economic cooperation.
Meanwhile, Gor highlighted the steady increase in high-level engagement between both governments. He said senior U.S. officials, including the secretaries of the Army, Commerce, and State, have visited India in recent months. He also recalled Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s four-day visit, which included stops in New Delhi, Jaipur, Agra, and Kolkata.
According to Gor, Prime Minister Narendra Modi later discussed the visit with Rubio during the G7 Summit in France. Gor said Rubio expressed interest in returning to India before the end of the year. He added that several other U.S. Cabinet members also plan to visit India in the coming months.
Looking ahead, Gor announced that the foreign ministers of the Quad nations expect to meet during upcoming engagements in the Philippines within the next two weeks. He also said officials continue preparations for a future Quad ministerial meeting in Australia.
Finally, Gor highlighted the rapid growth in bilateral trade, which has increased from about $20 billion two decades ago to roughly $220 billion today. He also repeated the shared goal announced by Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to expand trade to $500 billion in the coming years. In addition, he noted that India conducts more defense exercises with the United States than with any other country. Gor concluded by saying the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi remains open for business and stands ready to support stronger India-U.S. cooperation.
