US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor arrived in New Delhi on Friday, striking an upbeat note on the future of India–US relations even as fresh trade tensions surfaced following a sweeping tariff move approved by President Donald Trump.
Gor’s visit comes at a sensitive moment for bilateral trade ties. The US Congress website states that the bill, titled the Sanctioning of Russia Act 2025, seeks to sharply increase duties on imports linked to Russia, a move that US Senator Lindsey Graham has said would give Washington leverage over countries such as India, China and Brazil.
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In a post on X shortly after landing, Gor wrote, “Great to be back in India! Incredible opportunities ahead for our two nations!” The message came a day after Trump approved legislation that could impose tariffs of at least 500% on countries purchasing Russian crude oil which is a measure aimed at pressuring Moscow’s energy buyers.
Trade talks continue despite friction
India and the United States have remained engaged in negotiations over a long-pending trade agreement. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar both travelled to Washington in 2025 for discussions aimed at advancing the pact.
However, tensions flared recently after US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick claimed in a podcast that a key trade deal fell through because Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not personally call President Trump. India’s External Affairs Ministry rejected the assertion, with spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal describing the remarks as “not accurate” and reiterating that negotiations have been underway since February 13 last year.
Gor’s arrival follows a December meeting at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence, where he met India’s Ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra. According to officials, the discussion focused on strengthening trade ties and setting priorities for the broader bilateral partnership.
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The tariff bill has also revived concerns over India’s energy imports from Russia. The US has already imposed tariffs totalling 50% in response to India’s purchase of discounted Russian oil, which Washington views as indirectly supporting Moscow amid the Ukraine conflict.
Despite these challenges, officials on both sides have continued to stress the importance of dialogue and cooperation in managing differences within the strategic partnership.
