US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said on 23 August that the proposed US-India trade agreement is almost finalised in principle, with both sides now working through the remaining legal and technical language. Gor made the remarks at a media event in New Delhi, signalling that the broad framework of the deal has been settled.

Where the Deal Stands

“The trade deal is, in principle, almost everything is done,” Gor said, attributing the remaining delay to the need to reconfigure and finalise specific portions of the text. He indicated that the substantive negotiations are largely complete and that what remains is largely a drafting exercise rather than a renegotiation of terms.

The development comes amid an active phase of US-India diplomatic engagement, with trade topping the bilateral agenda following the reciprocal tariff standoff earlier this year. India has been among the countries seeking to lock in a deal before any further US tariff escalations.

Russian Oil Tariff Bill: Not a White House Push

Gor also addressed concerns surrounding a proposed bill in the US Congress that would impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on countries purchasing Russian oil — a measure that would directly affect India, one of the largest buyers of discounted Russian crude since the Ukraine conflict began.

He clarified that the legislation was being driven by lawmakers from both sides of the political aisle and was not a White House-backed initiative. “This is not something that you have seen the White House advocate. You won’t find a clip of President Trump pushing it,” Gor said.

Notably, President Donald Trump has separately indicated his priority is ending the Russia-Ukraine war rather than escalating economic pressure on countries like India that have maintained energy ties with Moscow. “President from day one has been wanting to end this war between Russia and Ukraine, and he’s determined,” Gor said, calling a resolution “vitally important.”

Modi-Trump Personal Ties Cited as Diplomatic Anchor

Gor described the relationship between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Trump as a “deep and personal friendship,” underscoring that both leaders are results-driven and keen to move quickly on shared priorities. “They are both forward leaning, and they want action fast, and they’re results-driven. Our President has tremendous respect for the Prime Minister,” he said.

Gor also recalled that Modi’s continued support during Trump’s time out of office after the 2020 US presidential election had left a lasting impression. “When you’re up, when you’re in the Oval Office, everybody wants to be your friend. But when you’re out, that’s when you can really realise who your friends are. And Prime Minister Narendra Modi was a true friend to him at that time,” Gor said.

What Comes Next

With the legal and technical text still being finalised, no signing date has been announced. However, Gor’s remarks suggest both governments are closer to a deal than at any previous point in the current round of negotiations. Trade experts have flagged that the agreement’s scope — including tariff schedules, digital trade provisions, and market access commitments — will determine its real-world impact on Indian exporters and US businesses operating in India.