U.S., India trade deal in final steps: Sergio Gor

US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, that the US-India trade deal is in its “final steps” with only the last one percent of negotiations remaining to be completed, expressing confidence that the agreement will be signed soon after nearly 18 months of talks.

Speaking at the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum Leadership Summit in Washington, Mr Gor said he was committed to finalizing the agreement as it would be beneficial to both countries.

“We are in the final steps of this agreement. The majority of the agreement has been completed. There are a few remaining items on both sides. These are in the last 1% of the agreement,” he said.

The US envoy to India was optimistic about the bilateral relationship and touched on the personal equation that drives relations between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“People ask, why is it taking so long? We’ve been in business for a year and a half. To put it in perspective, we’ve been in business for 20 years. So no matter what happens, I think we were in good shape when we signed the European agreement. But I’m determined to see this through,” he said.

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

“His visit last time was one of his most remarkable visits that he continues to talk about. He holds it very fondly. It’s an incredible thing. So I’m looking forward to the President visiting us in India again,” Mr. Gor said.

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