Calling India indispensable to American global priorities, US ambassador-designate Sergio Gor said that New Delhi and Washington are preparing to resume the next phase of negotiations on a bilateral trade agreement starting Tuesday, January 12.

Speaking at the US Embassy in New Delhi, Gor — who also serves as Washington’s Special Envoy to South and Central Asia — highlighted the personal rapport between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, describing it as genuine and resilient even during disagreements.

According to Gor, the India-US partnership extends well beyond trade and rests on engagement at the highest political levels. He said strong friendships allow room for differences but ultimately lead to solutions.

Acknowledging the complexity of finalising a trade deal with a country of India’s scale, Gor said both sides remain committed to pushing talks forward. He noted that discussions are continuing actively and that another round of engagement was scheduled imminently.

While trade remains a key pillar of the relationship, Gor emphasised that cooperation between the two democracies spans several strategic sectors, including defence, counter-terrorism, energy security, advanced technology, education and healthcare.

Reflecting on his past travels with President Trump, Gor said he had personally witnessed the US leader’s warm regard for Prime Minister Modi. He added that Trump often recalls his earlier visit to India fondly and suggested that another trip could take place within the next year or two.

Describing his diplomatic mission as an effort to elevate ties to a higher plane, Gor said no other country plays a more vital role for the United States than India. He added that his agenda as ambassador would focus on deepening cooperation based on mutual respect and shared leadership.

Gor also announced that India would soon become a full member of the Pax Silica alliance, a US-backed initiative aimed at creating a stable, secure and innovation-driven global supply chain for silicon and semiconductor materials. India is expected to formally join the grouping next month.