India-US trade deal: The new US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor on Monday shared an important update on the India-US trade deal progress, saying that the two sides will hold a fresh round of talks tomorrow. “Many of you have asked me for an update on the ongoing trade deal negotiations. Both sides continue to actively engage. In fact, the next call on trade will occur tomorrow,” he said after assuming charge.“India is the world’s largest nation. So it’s not an easy task to get this across the finish line, but we are determined to get there and while trade is very important for our relationship, we will continue to work closely together on other very important areas such as security, counter-terrorism, energy, technology, education, and health,” he added.
“No partner is more essential than India. In the months and years ahead, it is my goal as ambassador to pursue a very ambitious agenda. We will do this as true strategic partners, each bringing strength, respect, and leadership to the table,” he said.India currently faces 50% tariffs on its exports to the US, 25% of which are penal tariffs for its crude oil imports from Russia. Both sides have been engaged in discussions for the first tranche of the trade deal to be finalised but a breakthrough is still elusive. In the meantime, US President Donald Trump has threatened higher tariffs on India if it doesn’t stop buying Russian crude and a new bill that proposes 500% tariffs on countries buying Russian oil has received his nod and will be up for vote in the Senate soon.Talking about the bond between Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gor said, “.I’ve travelled all over the world with President Trump, and I can attest that his friendship with Prime Minister Modi is real. The United States and India are bound not just by shared interest, but by a relationship anchored at the highest levels. Real friends can disagree, but always resolve their differences in the end.”“I spoke with President Trump just yesterday, and I bring his warm wishes to all the people of India, especially his dear friend, the incredible Prime Minister Modi. “… It is great to be here as the United States’ Ambassador. I come to this remarkable nation with profound respect and a clear mission: to take the partnership between our two nations to the next level. This is the intersection between the world’s oldest democracy and the world’s largest democracy… During my last dinner with him, President Trump recounted his last visit to India and also his great friendship with the great Prime Minister of India. I hope the President will be visiting us soon, hopefully in the next year or two,” he added.
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