The United States considers India its most essential international partner, US ambassador-designate Sergio Gor said on Monday, as Washington and New Delhi prepare to restart a new round of trade negotiations beginning Tuesday, January 12. Speaking at the US Embassy in New Delhi, Gor underlined the depth of the bilateral relationship and expressed confidence that both sides could overcome existing challenges to advance cooperation across multiple sectors.
Gor, who also serves as Special Envoy to South and Central Asia, said the renewed trade discussions reflect a broader commitment by both governments to strengthen economic engagement. He acknowledged that negotiations have been complex but said sustained dialogue remains a priority for Washington. According to him, officials from both sides continue to actively engage, with another trade-related call scheduled imminently as part of ongoing efforts to move the process forward.
Highlighting the political foundation of the partnership, Gor said the relationship between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is genuine and based on mutual respect. He described their rapport as an example of how close personal ties at the leadership level can help address differences between countries. Gor noted that disagreements are natural between large democracies but said real partners ultimately work through them to achieve shared goals.
Beyond trade, Gor emphasized that cooperation between India and the United States spans a wide range of strategic areas. He said the two countries continue to collaborate closely on security, counter-terrorism, energy, technology, education, and health, describing these sectors as critical pillars of the bilateral relationship. He added that the partnership is not limited to transactional interests but is rooted in long-term strategic alignment.
The ambassador-designate also indicated that President Trump could visit India within the next one to two years. Recalling past interactions, Gor said Trump often speaks fondly of his previous visit to India and of his relationship with Prime Minister Modi. He suggested that a future visit would further reinforce ties between what he described as the world’s oldest democracy and the world’s largest democracy.
Reiterating his priorities as ambassador, Gor said advancing the US-India strategic partnership would be central to his mission. He described India as an indispensable partner for the United States and said his goal is to pursue an ambitious agenda that reflects mutual respect and shared leadership. According to him, both nations bring distinct strengths to the table and are well-positioned to address global challenges together.
On the economic front, Gor acknowledged that concluding a comprehensive trade agreement with India is a demanding task, given the scale and complexity of the Indian market. However, he said Washington remains determined to reach an outcome that benefits both sides. He added that sustained engagement and political will are key to pushing negotiations toward a conclusion.
During his remarks, Gor also announced that India will be invited to join the Pax Silica alliance as a full member next month. The initiative is a US-led effort aimed at building a secure, resilient, and innovation-driven global silicon supply chain. India’s inclusion, he said, reflects its growing role in global manufacturing and technology ecosystems and aligns with broader efforts to diversify and strengthen supply chains.
Gor concluded by stressing that the coming months and years would be critical for deepening cooperation between India and the United States. He said the partnership is entering a new phase, marked by expanded economic engagement, strategic coordination, and people-to-people ties, all of which he believes will continue to shape the future of the bilateral relationship.
