The U.S.-India trade deal is in its “final steps”, with only the last one per cent of negotiations left to be concluded, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said on Tuesday (June 30, 2026), expressing confidence that the deal would soon be sealed after nearly 18 months of talks.

Addressing the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum Leadership Summit in Washington, Mr. Gor said he was determined to conclude the agreement as it would be beneficial to both nations.

“We are in the final steps on this deal. Most of this deal is complete. There’s a few items that remain on both sides. It’s in the last 1% of that deal,” he said.

The U.S. envoy to India was bullish about the bilateral relationship and cited the personal equation between U.S. President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi which was driving the ties.

“People ask, why is this taking so long? We’ve been at this for a year and a half. To put it into perspective, we’ve been trading for 20 years. So no matter what, once we beat the European deal, I think we’re in good shape. But I’m determined to bring this to a close,” he said.

The U.S. envoy said the President has very fond memories of his visit to India and still continues to talk about it.

“His visit last time, it was one of his most remarkable visits that he continues to talk about. He holds it in a very fond place. It’s an incredible thing. So I look forward to … having the President visit us back in India,” Mr. Gor said.

The Ambassador also announced that the Quad Foreign Ministers are scheduled to meet in the Philippines in about two weeks from now.

The U.S.-India trade deal is in its “final steps”, with only the last one per cent of negotiations left to be concluded, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said on Tuesday (June 30, 2026), expressing confidence that the deal would soon be sealed after nearly 18 months of talks.

Addressing the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum Leadership Summit in Washington, Mr. Gor said he was determined to conclude the agreement as it would be beneficial to both nations.

“We are in the final steps on this deal. Most of this deal is complete. There’s a few items that remain on both sides. It’s in the last 1% of that deal,” he said.

The U.S. envoy to India was bullish about the bilateral relationship and cited the personal equation between U.S. President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi which was driving the ties.

“People ask, why is this taking so long? We’ve been at this for a year and a half. To put it into perspective, we’ve been trading for 20 years. So no matter what, once we beat the European deal, I think we’re in good shape. But I’m determined to bring this to a close,” he said.

The U.S. envoy said the President has very fond memories of his visit to India and still continues to talk about it.

“His visit last time, it was one of his most remarkable visits that he continues to talk about. He holds it in a very fond place. It’s an incredible thing. So I look forward to … having the President visit us back in India,” Mr. Gor said.

The Ambassador also announced that the Quad Foreign Ministers are scheduled to meet in the Philippines in about two weeks from now.

U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor has sought to reassure Indians over the Trump administration’s immigration measures, saying changes to the U.S. visa system are “not targeted at India” while insisting that people-to-people ties, trade and defence cooperation between the two countries will continue to grow.

In an exclusive interview with IANS at the White House, Mr. Gor said the administration’s immigration reforms were part of a broader effort to overhaul the entire U.S. immigration system rather than measures directed at any particular country.

“I don’t think the big item to remember on that is this is not targeted at India,” Mr. Gor said when asked about concerns surrounding H-1B visas and reports of increased immigration enforcement in the United States.

Also Read | First in 16 months: Modi and Trump exchange pleasantries amid strained India-U.S. ties

“The United States, we had to take stock of the whole immigration system, every kind of visa,” he said. “Unfortunately, under previous administrations, our borders were wide open. That’s something the President wanted to fix on day one.”

Mr. Gor said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump shared similar views on illegal immigration.

“It’s actually something the Prime Minister relates to,” he said. “When I listen to the Prime Minister speaking in India, he talks about no illegal migrants. We hundred per cent agree with that.”

The U.S. Ambassador said India’s large population naturally meant more Indians were affected by changes in U.S. immigration procedures, but stressed that the reforms should not be viewed as India-specific.

“Of course, India’s a massive population, so you’re impacted by it,” he said. “But things continue.”

Mr. Gor pointed to the scale of visa operations in India as evidence of the strength of bilateral exchanges. “Our Embassy is one of the busiest embassies in the world as it relates to visas, as you know,” he said. “So the people-to-people ties will continue, trade will continue, commerce will continue.”

He also highlighted the depth of the broader strategic partnership between the two countries.

“India exports more to the United States than anywhere else in the world,” Mr. Gor said. “India does more defence exercises with the United States than any other country in the world.”

“So we have incredible things happening. We’ll continue building on that.”

On energy cooperation, Mr. Gor said New Delhi had already increased purchases of U.S. energy and argued that diversifying supplies would strengthen India’s energy security.

“I think we’ve already seen an incredible increase in energy coming from the United States,” he said. “For India, that’s a good thing. You want to be diversified. You should not have all your energy supplies coming from one place.”

Referring to the recent crisis involving Iran, Mr. Gor added: “Unfortunately, when Iran decided to shut down the Strait of Hormuz, which are international waterways, the whole world was impacted by it. So having different sources is a good thing for every country.”

India remains one of the largest sources of international students and skilled professionals entering the United States, while Indian companies continue to expand investments and operations across the American market. Mobility of students, professionals and business travellers has become an important pillar of the bilateral relationship.

The India-U.S. partnership has expanded significantly over the past two decades, encompassing defence, technology, trade, clean energy and critical supply chains. Despite periodic policy differences on immigration and trade, both governments have consistently described the relationship as one of their most consequential strategic partnerships.

In a visit expected to shore up India-U.S. ties, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to travel to India for bilateral talks and to attend the Australia-India-Japan-U.S. Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (FMM). Outlooking the visit on Wednesday (May 6, 2026), U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said he hoped to welcome Mr. Rubio to India “soon”. Sources told The Hindu that Mr. Rubio is expected to be in Delhi for a three-day visit from May 24 to 26, his first since taking over as U.S. Secretary of State last January.

“The United States deeply values our growing partnership with India, and we are excited to build even stronger ties that will benefit both our nations and the world,” Mr. Gor, who is also U.S. President Donald Trump’s Special envoy for South and Central Asia, said in a post.  “See you soon, Mr. Secretary!” he added.

In a separate post after meeting with Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Mr. Gor also announced that several U.S. Governors would be visiting India in the months ahead.

Also Read | India, U.S. conclude ‘constructive’ in-person talks on trade deal, but no word on deadline

Public reception

Mr. Rubio’s visit will include a public reception in Delhi on May 24 to celebrate 250 years of the United States’ Declaration of Independence. He will hold talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, and call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in discussions that are expected to set the course for India-U.S. ties after several ups and downs over tariffs and sanctions, as well as the impact of the war in West Asia. On Tuesday (May 5, 2026), Mr. Rubio announced that U.S. operations on Iran that were launched on February 28 had “ended”, while naval operations to forcibly open up the Strait of Hormuz from Iranian control have been “paused” while U.S.-Iran talks are on.

On May 26, Mr. Rubio and Mr. Jaishankar will be joined by Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Japan’s Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi for the Quad FMM. Mr. Motegi and Ms. Wong have both visited Delhi in the past few months, and are expected to travel to India just for the Quad talks. The U.S. Secretary of State’s visit will follow a visit to Beijing by U.S. President Mr. Trump, tentatively expected on May 14-15, and Mr. Rubio is expected to brief his Quad counterparts about the outcomes of that visit as well. All eyes will be on whether the Quad meet agrees on a date for the Summit, which the government hopes to hold later this year, after trying unsuccessfully to host it for the past two years. In particular, a visit to India by Mr. Trump, who faces mid-term elections in November, will be key to scheduling the Summit.

Also Read | Discussed ways to build strong future of India-U.S. ties: U.S. envoy Gor on meeting with Trump

Indian and U.S. officials are also expected to review the progress in the Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) during Mr. Rubio’s visit. Although an interim agreement was announced by Mr. Trump and Mr. Modi after a phone call in February this year, it has missed several finalisation deadlines, and remains unfinished due to uncertainty over the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to strike down Mr. Trump’s “liberation day tariffs”.

On Wednesday (May 6, 2026), the U.S. government announced that investments promised by Indian businesses during a “Select USA” were the single largest by any country in 2026.

“Historic deals in tech, manufacturing, and pharmaceuticals announced today have unlocked over $20.5 billion in investment. This is a record-breaking moment,” the U.S. State Department said in a statement on social media.

In a visit expected to shore up India-U.S. ties, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to travel to India for bilateral talks and to attend the Australia-India-Japan-U.S. Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (FMM). Outlooking the visit on Wednesday (May 6, 2026), U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said he hoped to welcome Mr. Rubio to India “soon”. Sources told The Hindu that Mr. Rubio is expected to be in Delhi for a three-day visit from May 24 to 26, his first since taking over as U.S. Secretary of State last January.

“The United States deeply values our growing partnership with India, and we are excited to build even stronger ties that will benefit both our nations and the world,” Mr. Gor, who is also U.S. President Donald Trump’s Special envoy for South and Central Asia, said in a post.  “See you soon, Mr. Secretary!” he added.

In a separate post after meeting with Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Mr. Gor also announced that several U.S. Governors would be visiting India in the months ahead.

Also Read | India, U.S. conclude ‘constructive’ in-person talks on trade deal, but no word on deadline

Public reception

Mr. Rubio’s visit will include a public reception in Delhi on May 24 to celebrate 250 years of the United States’ Declaration of Independence. He will hold talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, and call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in discussions that are expected to set the course for India-U.S. ties after several ups and downs over tariffs and sanctions, as well as the impact of the war in West Asia. On Tuesday (May 5, 2026), Mr. Rubio announced that U.S. operations on Iran that were launched on February 28 had “ended”, while naval operations to forcibly open up the Strait of Hormuz from Iranian control have been “paused” while U.S.-Iran talks are on.

On May 26, Mr. Rubio and Mr. Jaishankar will be joined by Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Japan’s Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi for the Quad FMM. Mr. Motegi and Ms. Wong have both visited Delhi in the past few months, and are expected to travel to India just for the Quad talks. The U.S. Secretary of State’s visit will follow a visit to Beijing by U.S. President Mr. Trump, tentatively expected on May 14-15, and Mr. Rubio is expected to brief his Quad counterparts about the outcomes of that visit as well. All eyes will be on whether the Quad meet agrees on a date for the Summit, which the government hopes to hold later this year, after trying unsuccessfully to host it for the past two years. In particular, a visit to India by Mr. Trump, who faces mid-term elections in November, will be key to scheduling the Summit.

Also Read | Discussed ways to build strong future of India-U.S. ties: U.S. envoy Gor on meeting with Trump

Indian and U.S. officials are also expected to review the progress in the Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) during Mr. Rubio’s visit. Although an interim agreement was announced by Mr. Trump and Mr. Modi after a phone call in February this year, it has missed several finalisation deadlines, and remains unfinished due to uncertainty over the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to strike down Mr. Trump’s “liberation day tariffs”.

On Wednesday (May 6, 2026), the U.S. government announced that investments promised by Indian businesses during a “Select USA” were the single largest by any country in 2026.

“Historic deals in tech, manufacturing, and pharmaceuticals announced today have unlocked over $20.5 billion in investment. This is a record-breaking moment,” the U.S. State Department said in a statement on social media.

Praising India as “one of the world’s oldest civilisations” and “the largest country in the world”, United States President Donald Trump presided over the swearing-in ceremony of Sergio Gor as the next U.S. Ambassador to India, underscoring the vital importance of the U.S.-India partnership

Mr. Trump said he was entrusting Mr. Gor to further strengthen strategic, economic, and security ties with New Delhi, while deepening America’s “fantastic relationship” with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Making remarks from the Oval Office, Mr. Trump said, “Today we are thrilled to be here for the swearing-in of our next Ambassador to India and special envoy to South and Central Asia, which is a big deal and Sergio will handle it better than anybody could handle it. I want to congratulate Sergio”

Present at the swearing-in ceremony were U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary Scott Bessent, Attorney General Pam Bondi and U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro, Erika Kirk and several senators.

In his remarks during the swearing-in ceremony of Sergio Gor, the U.S. President said, “I’m trusting Sergio to help strengthen our country’s one of the most important international relationships, and that is the strategic partnership with the Republic of India. It’s a big deal. India is a home to one of the world’s oldest civilisations, the largest country in the world and it has got over 1.5 billion people and we have a fantastic relationship with Prime Minister Modi and Sergio’s enhanced that because he’s become already friendly with Prime Minister. Knowing that Sergio is going to be the Ambassador, they would call constantly to say, ‘let’s get to know this man’ and they like what they see.”

“I know you’re gonna have a great success over there. It’s a very important relationship. It’s also the fastest-growing middle class and it’s an important economic and strategic security partner in the Indo-Pacific region. It’s an amazing country”.

“As the Ambassador, Sergio will work to fortify our country’s bond, promote investments in key US industries and technologies, increase American energy exports, and expand our security cooperation”, he further added.

After taking the oath, Mr. Gor thanked Mr. Trump for entrusting him with the responsibility of the relationship with India and said, “I look forward to enhancing the relationship between our two nations. I look forward to doing a great job for you”.

In August, Mr. Trump nominated Sergio Gor as India’s next Ambassador and Special Envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs.

During his testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in September, Gor had emphasised that India is “one of the most important relationships our nation (U.S.) has in the world.”

Ahead of his swearing-in, he had visited India in October and met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, EAM S. Jaishankar and NSA Ajit Doval.

President Donald Trump said on Friday (August 22, 2025) he would nominate Sergio Gor, one of his closest aides, to be the next U.S. ambassador to India, where he will oversee frosty relations that have worsened with the planned doubling of U.S. tariffs on India next week.

Mr. Gor, who is currently the director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office, would also serve as a special envoy for South and Central Asian affairs.

Mr. Trump said in a post on his Truth Social account that Mr. Gor would remain in his current position until he is confirmed for the India post by the U.S. Senate.

“Sergio is a great friend, who has been at my side for many years. He worked on my Historic Presidential Campaigns, published my Best Selling Books, and ran one of the biggest Super PACs, which supported our Movement,” Mr. Trump said, lauding Mr. Gor’s work in hiring staff for his second term.

“For the most populous Region in the World, it is important that I have someone I can fully trust to deliver on my Agenda and help us, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN,” Mr. Trump wrote.

U.S.-India ties have been strained by Mr. Trump’s trade war, with talks on lower tariff rates collapsing after India, the world’s fifth-largest economy, resisted opening its vast agricultural and dairy sectors. Bilateral trade between the two countries is worth more than $190 billion.

Mr. Trump first imposed additional tariffs of 25% on imports from India, then said they would double to 50% from August 27 as punishment for New Delhi’s increased purchases of Russian oil. Trump has not imposed similar tariffs on China, the biggest purchaser of Russian oil.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Tuesday accused India of profiteering from its sharply increased purchases of Russian oil during the war in Ukraine and said Washington viewed the situation as unacceptable.