US ambassador says India‑US trade pact close to completion ahead of Rubio visit

India‑US trade deal near completion

US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor announced on Thursday that the two countries are "very close to landing" a comprehensive trade agreement. Speaking at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in Delhi, he said the "big picture, the big framework, the big items are done," indicating that the core provisions have been settled.

What has been agreed

According to Gor, the broad framework – covering market access, investment rules and sector‑specific safeguards – has been worked out. Negotiations on smaller issues, such as tariff percentages on a handful of products, are still under discussion. He noted that the talks have involved US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, with talks reaching the level of individual products.

Why it matters for India

Gor emphasized that the agreement reflects the "complex place" that is India, home to 1.4 billion people. He argued that finalising the pact would showcase India’s growing role in global supply chains and reinforce its rising international profile. The deal is expected to lower barriers for American firms and expand Indian export opportunities, dovetailing with New Delhi’s push for greater foreign investment.

Timing and next steps

The announcement comes ahead of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s scheduled visit to India, which is being framed as a business‑focused trip. Gor said the momentum of the past about a year and a half of negotiations gives confidence that the agreement could be signed during that visit.

Challenges ahead

While the major items are settled, Gor cautioned that fine‑tuning will take time. He referred to a recent US Supreme Court ruling that forced Washington to revisit some emergency‑powers tariff measures, adding that such legal nuances add layers to the discussions.

Outlook

If the pact is concluded, it would mark the most significant bilateral trade framework between the United States and India to date, signalling deeper economic integration and supporting India’s ambition to be a central node in global trade networks.