The India–US bilateral trade agreement is now in its final stage, with negotiators working on the last 1–2 per cent of the legal text. US Ambassador Sergio Gor has confirmed that Washington wants to work “hand-in-hand” with New Delhi, recognising India’s rise and emphasising that the next two years will define the partnership for decades.

President Donald Trump remains fully committed to the deal, which is expected to unlock a $500 billion trade target and expand cooperation across technology, defence, and supply chains.

United States Ambassador to India Sergio Gor on Monday highlighted the imminent breakthrough in the bilateral trade pact during the IX US–India Strategic Partnership Forum Leadership Summit 2026 in Washington, DC.

He declared that the United States wants to work “hand-in-hand” with India, acknowledging India’s arrival on the global stage and stressing that the partnership is built to endure.

Gor recalled a recent exchange with an Indian minister in New Delhi, who told him that fifty years from now the two countries would still be friends, united by their shared democratic principles and robust oppositions. He said this resilience underpins the alliance and ensures its longevity.

The envoy emphasised that the next two years will be decisive in setting the trajectory of the relationship for several decades. He described the partnership as a long-term project, urging stakeholders to view current efforts as investments in a durable alliance. He pointed to opportunities across artificial intelligence, aviation, and technology, noting that new areas of cooperation emerge almost daily.

Gor confirmed that the trade deal, under negotiation for 18 months, is nearly complete, with only a handful of issues left unresolved. He explained that the process had faced delays due to a US Supreme Court intervention, but momentum was restored following US Trade Representative Jamieson Lee Greer’s two-day visit to New Delhi last week. Greer’s discussions with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal were described as constructive and forward-looking, helping to salvage the process and push the deal towards completion.

Minister Goyal posted on X that he had concluded a series of meetings with Ambassador Greer and his delegation, reviewing progress and exploring avenues to deepen the partnership. He praised Greer’s leadership and the sustained efforts of both teams in advancing discussions. The Ministry of Commerce reiterated that both sides aim to expand bilateral trade, foster innovation, and build resilient supply chains.

The summit also coincided with the USISPF’s America@250 celebrations, marking the 250th anniversary of American democracy. Senior officials, lawmakers, and business leaders from both countries underscored the strategic importance of the partnership.

India’s Ambassador to the US, Vinay Kwatra, described India as an indispensable anchor of global growth, projecting its economy to reach $7 trillion by the end of the decade. He identified biotechnology, semiconductors, and quantum technologies as new frontiers for cooperation.

Jacob Helberg, US Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, stressed that India is the only country capable of rivalling China in engineering talent, making it America’s most important long-term partner in building trusted technology ecosystems.

He said Washington seeks to diversify critical supply chains beyond China, with India playing a central role.

Gor also revealed that the US Mission in New Delhi had facilitated $20.5 billion in new investments into the United States this year, far surpassing figures from American embassies in Europe. He dismissed speculation of friction, insisting that confidence in India has never been stronger, with American businesses increasingly reassured about intellectual property protection and regulatory stability.

The ambassador concluded by affirming that the relationship is firmly on strong footing, with trade, defence, and investment ties advancing at unprecedented levels. He said the immediate priority is to finalise the legal language of the pact and secure the ambitious $500 billion bilateral trade target championed by President Trump and Prime Minister Modi.

ANI