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US, India working on fair, reciprocal trade ties: Sergio Gor

Gor said cooperation between the two countries extended from information technology and data centres to pharmaceuticals, defence sales and military exercises.

Updated on: Sep 3, 2026, 11:05:58 IST
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India and the United States are working to build a “fair, reciprocal and mutually beneficial” trade relationship, US Ambassador Sergio Gor said on Wednesday, ahead of Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal’s expected visit to the US later this month.

India and the United States are working to build a trade relationship, US Ambassador Sergio Gor said. (AFP)
India and the United States are working to build a trade relationship, US Ambassador Sergio Gor said. (AFP)

“The US-India relationship stands at a historic high point. Pick any sector and the United States and India are working together on it,” Gor said at the 66th annual session of the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association (ACMA) in New Delhi, attended by Goyal and British Deputy High Commissioner Harjinder Kang.

Also Read: Piyush Goyal to travel to US later this month for G20 talks, says ambassador Sergio Gor

Gor said cooperation between the two countries extended from information technology and data centres to pharmaceuticals, defence sales and military exercises.

He also pointed to potential cooperation in space, citing NASA’s invitation to ISRO to participate in its Moon Base programme.

Goyal will travel to the US at the end of the month to “continue engaging” as the country hosts G20 talks, he added.

Also Read: India plans to buy US-made Javelin anti-tank missile; Sergio Gor hails it as ‘great step’ in ties

According to people familiar with the matter, Goyal is expected to visit the US for the G20 Trade Ministerial in Milwaukee beginning September 30. He is expected to meet his US counterpart on the sidelines of the two-day meeting and may discuss the proposed interim bilateral trade agreement (BTA), which the two sides have been negotiating, they said, requesting anonymity.

Gor said the two countries had made “real progress”, including on the trade understanding reached by their governments, but stressed that their economic relationship extended beyond trade in goods. “Our progress extends well beyond trade in goods. Our two nations are partnering on virtually everything,” he said.

Also Read: Trump forgot India's ‘no questions’ request at G7, held 45-min presser with PM Modi, claims US envoy Sergio Gor

On market access, as the two governments work on the details of their trade relationship, Gor said the principle had to apply in both directions. “I want to underscore that fair market access cuts both ways,” he said, stressing the need for an environment in which US suppliers and technology can access the Indian market while Indian companies can compete fairly in the US.

Goyal, speaking at the event, recalled the 65th ACMA annual session on September 12, 2025, which he attended with European Union Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič. He said Gor’s presence at this year’s event was “special” because the India-EU trade negotiations had advanced after last year’s meeting, and expressed hope that the India-US BTA would also be concluded soon.

India and the EU concluded negotiations for a free trade agreement on January 27, 2026. The agreement is expected to be signed after legal review and the necessary regulatory approvals, according to the government.

India and the US have been negotiating a bilateral trade agreement since Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump met in Washington on February 13, 2025.

 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rajeev Jayaswal

Rajeev Jayaswal is a senior journalist, author and communication strategist with over three decades of experience covering India's economy, energy, trade and public policy. He is Senior Editor at Hindustan Times and author of The Lobbyists, recognised for insightful reporting, in-depth analysis and policy-focused journalism.

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