Trump’s envoy pick says India and US 'not far apart' on trade deal, hopeful of resolution in 'next few weeks'

Donald Trump’s pick for US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday that he hopes the tariff dispute with New Delhi will be resolved “in the next few weeks.” He said Washington and New Delhi are not "that far apart right now" on the trade deal, adding that the two countries are now discussing the "nitty-gritty" of the deal.

He called India a “strategic partner” and said he would work to strengthen ties between the two countries if confirmed.

Gor said the US hopes to settle its tariff dispute with India over Russian oil purchases within weeks. He described India as a strategic partner spanning diplomacy, security, trade and shared values rather than just a regional ally. If confirmed, he said his main goals would be to rebuild trust, ease trade tensions and deepen collaboration in areas such as climate, defence and technology.

“President Trump has a deep friendship with Prime Minister Modi. If you’ve noticed, when he goes after other nations, he goes after their leaders. When President Trump has been critical of India, he goes out of his way to compliment Modi," Sergio Gor added.

During the hearing, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlighted the importance of the partnership, calling India “one of the top relationships America has today in terms of the future of the world.”

Gor is the director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office and a close aide to Donald Trump. Announced as Trump’s pick on August 22, he has also been named Special Envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs. Known for his conservative credentials, his nomination is drawing attention in Washington and New Delhi as the two countries work on a trade deal.

Earlier in the day, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick expressed optimism about finalising a trade deal with India, while urging New Delhi to open its markets and halt purchases of Russian oil.

The remarks reflecting the United States' softened stand towards India follow Trump signalling a thaw in the bilateral chill between the two countries earlier this week, where he said said he feels “certain” that there will be "no difficulty" for the two countries to come to a “successful conclusion” in trade talks and he looks forward to speaking with his "very good friend” Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the coming weeks.

Responding to the post, Prime Minister Modi in a post on X on Wednesday expressed confidence that the ongoing negotiations will pave the way for unlocking the limitless potential of the partnership between them. India and the US are close friends and natural partners, Modi said, adding that both countries are working to conclude the trade discussions at the earliest.

Trump’s comments signal a significant thaw in bilateral relations as ties between the two countries reeled under possibly the worst phase in over two decades amid tensions over tariffs and Delhi’s purchases of Russian oil.

Trump has doubled tariffs on Indian goods to a whopping 50 per cent, including a 25 per cent additional duty for India's purchase of Russian crude oil. India described the US action as "unfair, unjustified and unreasonable".