US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor has used his first weeks in New Delhi to push for a faster, deeper India–US partnership, saying personal ties at the highest level helped secure an interim trade framework announced last week. At a reception at his residence on February 9, 2026, Gor told guests Washington and New Delhi remain committed to moving toward a broader bilateral agreement and credited the close relationship between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump for recent progress.
The reception drew senior Indian ministers, diplomats and business leaders, including External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, alongside more than 75 ambassadors. Sharing photos on X on February 9, Gor wrote, “Hosted a warm reception at home tonight with dear friends from India, the diplomatic community, business leaders and partners from the US.” He added, “I’ve been here just a little over a month, and we hit the ground running. The White House is paying attention to India. Our President is paying attention to India.”
Gor, who presented his credentials to President Droupadi Murmu on January 14, 2026 and serves as Special Envoy to South and Central Asia, said India is central to US global interests and vowed an “ambitious agenda” built on strategic partnership, respect and leadership. He also suggested President Trump may visit India “by next year,” and said tariff differences between the two countries can be resolved.
In New Delhi, Gor held meetings with key ministers to advance cooperation in semiconductors, electronics manufacturing and supply-chain resilience. Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw posted that he looks forward to strong US participation at the AI Impact Summit 2026, and Gor tweeted after their meeting, “A GREAT meeting! So many opportunities ahead! Very much looking forward to working with you.”
Gor also attended the India–USA ICC Men’s T20 World Cup match at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on February 7, 2026, where he met business figures including Mukesh and Nita Ambani and ICC Chairman Jay Shah, discussing the growth of cricket in the United States.
The interim trade framework reaffirms a Bilateral Trade Agreement process launched last year. Under the arrangement, India has agreed to cut or eliminate tariffs on US industrial goods and a wide range of agricultural products. The United States will apply an 18% reciprocal tariff on certain Indian-origin goods — including textiles, leather, plastics, chemicals, home decor and some machinery — with a pledge to later remove reciprocal duties on select items such as generic pharmaceuticals, gems and diamonds, and aircraft parts if the interim agreement is successfully concluded.
Original Source: https://www.firstpost.com/india/ministerial-meetings-diplomatic-outreach-sergio-gor-india-us-trade-deal-expanding-partnership-13978060.html
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Publish Date: 2026-02-10 10:30:00
