Gor, who has a rapport with the US President, portrayed the relationship as one anchored beyond disputes over tariffs and market access. “Real friends can disagree, but always resolve their differences in the end,” he said. “The US and India are bound not just by shared interests, but by a relationship anchored at the highest level.”
Gor asserted that Trump’s friendship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi is “real,” saying he can attest to this, having “travelled all over the world with President Trump.”
On the trade deal, the envoy said, “Many of you have asked me for an update on the trade deal negotiations.”
“Both sides continue to actively engage,” said Gor. “In fact, the next call on trade will occur tomorrow (Tuesday)… India is the world’s largest nation. So, it’s not an easy task to get this across the finish line.” India and the US are in protracted negotiations for a trade deal. They are holding parallel negotiations — one, on a framework trade deal to address the high tariffs levied by the US, and the other on a comprehensive Bilateral Trade Agreement.
Washington has imposed 50% tariffs on India with effect from August 27, including 25% penal tariffs for purchase of Russian fuel.
The proposed pact with the US is aimed at more than doubling 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 worth $131.84 billion.
While trade issues remain contentious, Gor stressed that the partnership extends far beyond tariffs. “While trade is very important for our relationship, we will continue to work closely together on other very important areas such as security, counterterrorism, energy, technology, education and health,” he said.
Calling India indispensable to Washington’s global strategy, the envoy said, “No partner is more essential than India. In the months and years ahead, it is my goal to pursue a very ambitious agenda. We will do this as true strategic partners, each bringing strength, respect and leadership to the table.”
Gor is expected to present his credentials to President Droupadi Murmu later this week.
Gor said India would be invited next month to join the Pax Silica as a full member, placing it alongside Japan, South Korea, the UK and Israel. He described the alliance as “a US-led strategic initiative to build 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 arrived in India “with profound respect and a clear mission — to take the partnership between our two nations to the next level,” describing it as a meeting point of “the world’s oldest democracy and the world’s largest democracy.”
He also conveyed greetings from Trump. “I spoke with President Trump just yesterday, and I bring 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 “in the next year or two.” “President Trump has a habit of calling at 2 in the morning, and with the time difference in New Delhi, it might work out pretty well,” he quipped on a lighter note.
