US-India trade deal in final steps, says envoy: last 1% of negotiations remain
The United States and India are in the 'final steps' of concluding a bilateral trade agreement, with only the last one per cent of negotiations left to be resolved, according to US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor.
Speaking at the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum Leadership Summit in Washington on Tuesday (June 30, 2026), Mr Gor expressed confidence that the deal would soon be sealed after nearly 18 months of talks. 'We are in the final steps on this deal. Most of this deal is complete. There's a few items that remain on both sides. It's in the last 1% of that deal,' he said.
The ambassador highlighted the strength of bilateral relations, citing the personal rapport between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a driving force. He said, 'People ask, why is this taking so long? We've been at this for a year and a half. To put it into perspective, we've been trading for 20 years. So no matter what, once we beat the European deal, I think we're in good shape. But I'm determined to bring this to a close.'
Mr Gor noted that President Trump has fond memories of his visit to India and continues to speak about it. 'His visit last time, it was one of his most remarkable visits that he continues to talk about. He holds it in a very fond place. It's an incredible thing. So I look forward to … having the President visit us back in India,' the ambassador said.
Additionally, Mr Gor announced that the Quad Foreign Ministers are scheduled to meet in the Philippines in about two weeks from now.
