New Delhi – In a move signaling renewed efforts to solidify trade relations, the newly appointed United States Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, announced that discussions between the two nations are actively ongoing, with the next call scheduled for today, January 13, 2026. Gor's statement, made on Monday, comes at a crucial time as both countries aim to iron out trade differences that have strained their ties and negatively impacted the Indian rupee.
"Both sides continue to actively engage. In fact, the next call on trade will occur tomorrow," Gor stated in New Delhi, shortly after assuming his position. He emphasized that the discussions will encompass various sectors, including security, counterterrorism, energy, technology, education, and health.
The failure to secure a trade agreement has been a lingering concern, contributing to the Indian rupee's record low and unsettling investors anticipating progress in bilateral negotiations. Despite these challenges, both India and the U.S. have expressed their commitment to reaching a mutually beneficial resolution.
Adding to the positive momentum, Ambassador Gor announced that India would be invited to join Pax Silica next month, a U.S.-led initiative focused on building a resilient silicon supply chain, spanning from critical minerals to semiconductors and AI.
Trade talks between India and the U.S. have experienced setbacks, including the doubling of tariffs on Indian goods by the previous administration in August, which reached 50%, among the highest globally. This included a 25% levy in response to New Delhi's purchase of Russian oil. Despite these hurdles, the two countries have come close to an agreement on several occasions since negotiations began in February of the previous year.
"The United States and India are bound not just by shared interests, but by a relationship anchored at the highest level," Gor affirmed, echoing sentiments shared by Indian Trade Minister Piyush Goyal. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had previously set a goal to finalize a trade deal by fall 2025 and to more than double bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030. To address the $47 billion goods trade gap, India pledged to purchase up to $25 billion in U.S. energy.
Gor's optimistic remarks injected positivity into the Indian markets, with the benchmark Nifty 50 index showing recovery. He emphasized the importance of the U.S.-India partnership, stating, "No partner is more essential than India". He further outlined his objective to elevate the partnership to new heights, built on "fair trade, mutual respect, and shared security".
While acknowledging the challenges in reaching a trade agreement, Gor expressed his determination to see the process through. He drew upon Secretary of State Marco Rubio's remarks, highlighting the importance of reciprocity in the relationship. The ambassador's appointment is intended to strengthen ties between the two countries.
