Washington DC: US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor on June 29, Monday (local time) highlighted the imminent economic and strategic breakthrough between India and the US while explicitly recognising New Delhi’s ascending global stature, as the negotiations in the interim bilateral trade agreement near the “finish line”. Speaking during the IX USISPF Leadership Summit 2026, Gor affirmed that the US wants to work “hand-in-hand” with India and expressed optimism over a strengthened partnership between the two nations.
“We’re this close to getting another big deal done with India and we’re looking forward to bringing that across the finish line. India’s rise is here, India has arrived, we recognize that, we want to partner with India”, Ambassador Gor said. Underscoring the enduring, foundational ties between the world’s “oldest and largest democracies”, the US envoy delivered an optimistic assessment of the bilateral relationship, emphasising that the bond between the two nations is built to withstand the test of time.
Gor specifically pointed to a vast pool of opportunities for partnership between India and the US, stating that the two nations hope to explore them. Highlighting the significance of the next two years in their bilateral relationship, Gor said that it will set the path for a partnership for several decades, calling it a “long-term project”. “We do see the opportunity that exists between our two nations and as I mentioned, you pick the sector, AI, technology, aviation, no matter what it is, we have a potential to work together”, Gor stated.
“And that’s something I hope to build upon and set the stage for the next few decades. These next two years will set the relationship on a path for several decades ahead. And so for everyone here who participates in this, think of this as a long-term project. This is not a one-year or two-year, but what we sow now will continue to sustain us decades ahead”, Gor further added.
This comes after Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Piyush Goyal concluded a high-level series of meetings with US Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Jamieson Greer last week in New Delhi to further solidify the robust economic ties between the world’s two largest democracies. The discussions centred on accelerating the momentum of ongoing bilateral trade negotiations and identifying new strategic avenues to deepen the India-US economic partnership.
In a post on X, Goyal said, “Concluded a series of meetings with USTradeRep Ambassador Jamieson Greer and his delegation this morning. We reviewed progress of the ongoing India-U.S. trade discussions and explored avenues to further deepen our economic partnership. I appreciate Ambassador Greer’s leadership and the sustained efforts of both teams in advancing our discussions in a constructive and forward-looking manner”.
“Recognising the growing significance of the India-U.S. economic partnership amid evolving global trade dynamics, both sides reiterated their shared goal of expanding bilateral trade, fostering innovation and building resilient, trusted supply chains”, a statement by the Ministry of Commerce added.
Ambassador Gor on renaming of Indo-Pacific to US Pacific
US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor brushed aside the row surrounding the re-designation of the US Indo-Pacific Command, asserting that emphasis must be placed on the core substance of the bilateral partnership rather than the “name on a letterhead”. Addressing the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum Leadership Summit, Gor highlighted that New Delhi continues to participate in more military drills with Washington than with any other global partner, reaffirming that bilateral defence operations remain highly consistent.
The American diplomat also dismissed assertions that India-US relations had deteriorated, maintaining that the strategic partnership remains “on strong footing”, spanning commercial trade, security cooperation and robust citizen-to-citizen networks. He emphasised that President Donald Trump attributes great value to ties with India and stays resolute on amplifying joint efforts across commercial exchange, high technology, security and capital investment.
The Envoy’s comments come amidst a political debate triggered by the omission of “Indo” from the nomenclature of the Indo-Pacific Command. Formed originally in 1947, the US Pacific Command stands as one of the earliest unified combatant commands of the United States, overseeing a geographical expanse running from the American west coast up to the western maritime boundary of India. During Trump’s initial Presidential term, the entity was renamed the Indo-Pacific Command to signify India’s escalating strategic footprint in the region. However, earlier this month, the United States reverted it as US command.
Directly addressing the ongoing public discussion, Gor stated, “I just want to mention something because a lot of individuals made hay over a name change. I don’t care what name is on a letterhead, but look at what the United States is actually doing”. Gor also revealed that a high-level contingent from the Indian Navy is set to tour the United States within the upcoming fortnight. Turning to the wider dimensions of the partnership, Gor pointed out that digital narratives implying friction between the two capitals completely contradict the reality on the ground.
(With Inputs from ANI)
