U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said the bilateral trade agreement between the United States and India is nearing its final stage.
The deal represents a strategic effort to cement a "win-win" economic partnership between two of the world's largest democracies. Finalizing the pact would resolve long-standing trade frictions and strengthen supply chain ties.
Speaking Tuesday at the IX US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) Leadership Summit 2026 in New Delhi, Gor said the negotiations are almost finished. He noted that only 1% [1] of the proposed interim agreement is left to be finalized. Other reports indicated the remaining work could be between 1% and 2% [2].
Gor said the process follows nearly 18 months [3] of negotiations. The talks have focused on creating a balanced economic framework that benefits both nations. The ambassador said the pact is nearing the finish line, with only the final legal details and a small fraction of negotiations remaining to be concluded [2].
The diplomatic push comes as U.S. President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi maintain close ties. The U.S. has indicated that economic ties remain a primary agenda item for leadership discussions.
Gor's remarks highlight the momentum of the current diplomatic cycle. The interim nature of the agreement suggests a phased approach to trade liberalization, allowing both countries to secure immediate wins while addressing more complex tariffs and regulatory hurdles over time.
“"Only '1%' of the proposed interim agreement is left to be finalised."”
The transition to an interim agreement suggests that both Washington and New Delhi are prioritizing a functional, immediate trade framework over a comprehensive free trade agreement, which has historically stalled due to disagreements over agriculture and dairy. By narrowing the remaining disputes to roughly 1% to 2%, the two nations are signaling a desire to lock in economic gains quickly to counter regional instability and reduce dependence on Chinese imports.
