Sergio Gore, Director of the White House Presidential Personal Office and a close associate of President Donald Trump, commented on ongoing India-U.S. trade discussions, stating that all pending issues are expected to be resolved by the time he assumes his role as U.S. Ambassador to India. He indicated that within the next two to three weeks, both countries are likely to reach agreements on key matters, including tariffs. Gore acknowledged recent differences in trade relations but emphasized that the two nations remain strategically aligned. During his Senate committee hearing, he highlighted that India and the United States share long-term strategic objectives and that India is closer to the U.S. than to China.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also emphasized India’s strong diplomatic and strategic ties with the United States, describing the country as one of the closest partners globally. At the same time, U.S. Trade Secretary Howard Lutnick offered a more cautious perspective, noting that progress in trade talks would depend on India halting crude oil purchases from Russia. While Lutnick’s tone was less severe than previous warnings, he stressed that the U.S. position on Russian oil imports remains firm, signaling that certain conditions must be met before trade negotiations can advance.
Against the backdrop of tensions over tariffs, former President Trump stated that he is looking forward to speaking with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address outstanding issues. Modi responded that he too is awaiting a conversation with Trump, reaffirming that India and the U.S. are close friends. Analysts note that the recent shifts in tone among senior leaders from both countries are significant, as they could play a crucial role in stabilizing and advancing India-U.S. trade relations in the coming weeks.