MAGA deal in making: US resumes trade talks with ‘real friend’ India
Gor, who has a close relationship with the US President, portrayed the relationship as one that goes beyond disagreements over tariffs and market access. “True friends may disagree, but they always resolve their differences in the end,” he said. “The United States and India are bound not only by common interests but also by relationships at the highest level.”
Gor claimed that Trump’s friendship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi was “real” and said he could prove it by having “traveled all over the world with President Trump”.
Regarding the trade agreement, the envoy said, “Many of you have asked me for an update on trade agreement negotiations.”
“Both sides continue to work actively,” Gor said. “In fact, the next trade call will take place tomorrow (Tuesday)… India is the largest country in the world. So getting this across the finish line is not an easy task.” India and the US are engaged in protracted negotiations for a trade agreement. They are holding parallel negotiations, one on a framework trade agreement to address high US tariffs and the other on a comprehensive Bilateral Trade Agreement.
Washington imposed 50 percent tariffs on India from August 27, including a 25 percent penalty duty on purchases of Russian fuel.
The proposed agreement with the United States aims to more than double bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030 from the current $191 billion. The US remained India’s largest trading partner for the fourth consecutive year in FY25, with bilateral trade of $131.84 billion.
While trade issues remain contentious, Gor emphasized that the partnership extends well beyond tariffs. “While trade is very important for our relations, we will continue to work in close cooperation in other very important areas such as security, counter-terrorism, energy, technology, education and health,” he said.
Describing India as indispensable to Washington’s global strategy, the envoy said, “No partner is more important than India. My goal in the coming months and years is to pursue a very ambitious agenda. We will do this as true strategic partners, each of whom brings strength, respect and leadership to the table.”
Gor is expected to present his credentials to President Droupadi Murmu later this week.
Gor said India will be invited to join Pax Silica as a full member next month, placing it alongside Japan, South Korea, the UK and Israel. He described the alliance as “a US-led strategic initiative to create a secure, prosperous and innovation-driven silicon supply chain, from critical minerals and energy inputs to advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, AI development and logistics.”
ET reported on Sunday that India will be invited to join Pax Silica next month.
Gor said he came to India “with deep respect and a clear mission – to take the partnership between our two nations to the next level” and called it “the meeting point of the world’s oldest democracy and the world’s largest democracy”.
He also conveyed Trump’s greetings. “I spoke to President Trump yesterday and I extend his warm wishes to all the people of India, especially his dear friend, the incredible Prime Minister Modi,” Gor said, adding that he hoped Trump would visit India “within the next year or two.” On a lighter note, he said, “President Trump has a habit of calling at 2 a.m., and with the time difference in New Delhi, that could work out pretty well.”
