India-U.S. Trade Pact Nears Completion As Final Legal Details Are Being Finalised

Negotiations on the proposed India-U.S. bilateral trade agreement have entered the final stage, with only the last 1-2% of the legal framework yet to be completed, U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said at the IX U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) Leadership Summit 2026.

Speaking at the summit, Gor said discussions have progressed substantially over the past 18 months and are now focused on completing the remaining legal language covering thousands of tariff lines and trade-related provisions. He added that the agreement remains a priority for both governments despite a brief delay caused by a recent U.S. Supreme Court intervention.

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Gor also said U.S. President Donald Trump continues to support stronger economic engagement with India and views the proposed agreement as beneficial for both countries.

Negotiations Enter Final Phase

According to Gor, recent discussions during the visit of U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Lee Greer to New Delhi helped move negotiations closer to completion.

He said the bulk of the agreement has already been settled, with only a limited number of issues pending on both sides. The remaining work, he noted, primarily relates to legal drafting rather than policy differences.

Addressing the timeline of the negotiations, Gor said trade agreements involving large economies are inherently complex because they cover thousands of products and tariff categories. He added that Ambassador Greer continues to lead the negotiations with the full backing of the U.S. administration.

Trade Talks Progress Faster Than Other Agreements

Gor also compared the ongoing negotiations with other major international trade agreements, noting that the India-U.S. discussions have moved at a relatively faster pace.

He said several large trade agreements globally have taken many years to conclude, while the proposed India-U.S. pact has advanced significantly within about 18 months.

The ambassador expressed confidence that both countries would be able to complete the remaining work and finalise the agreement in the near future.

Investment And Strategic Ties Expand

During his address, Gor highlighted the growing economic relationship between India and the United States. He said the U.S. Mission in New Delhi facilitated investments worth $20.5 billion into the United States during the year. He also described India as an important strategic partner and said cooperation between the two countries continues to expand across multiple sectors.

According to Gor, emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, advanced technology and defence are creating new opportunities for collaboration beyond trade.

He also referred to his recent interactions with President Donald Trump, saying the U.S. President continues to hold India in high regard and supports closer bilateral engagement.

Broader Trade Agenda Remains On Track

Gor’s remarks come shortly after Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said India and the United States were close to concluding the first phase of the trade agreement. The minister had stated that India would move forward with the pact only if it secured a competitive tariff advantage for its exports over other countries.

The proposed first phase of the agreement is expected to improve market access, reduce tariff barriers and strengthen bilateral trade. Both governments have also outlined a long-term objective of expanding India-U.S. to $500 billion in bilateral trade, and the current negotiations are a big step in that direction.