Trump–Modi Friendship Helped Seal Trade Deal, Says US Envoy
Ambassador Sergio Gor says personal rapport between the two leaders was key to concluding the agreement
New Delhi: The personal rapport between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump played a decisive role in concluding the India–US trade agreement, according to US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor.
Speaking at the India Today Conclave 2026, Gor said the strong personal relationship between the two leaders helped push the negotiations to a successful conclusion.
“The only two dealmakers were President Trump and Prime Minister Modi. Their deep and personal friendship got the deal done,” the envoy said, adding that India remains a strong and dependable partner for the United States.
India and the United States reached the trade agreement last month after nearly a year of negotiations, which had earlier witnessed a period of strained economic relations between the two nations.
Under the agreement, the United States reduced tariffs on several Indian imports to 18 per cent from the earlier 50 per cent level, easing a major point of friction in bilateral trade ties.
Relations between the two countries had faced challenges earlier when Washington criticised India’s continued purchase of Russian oil, arguing that the revenue was helping fund Moscow’s military operations in Ukraine.
During that period, the US had also imposed an additional 25 per cent tariff on certain Indian goods, intensifying trade tensions before the eventual breakthrough in negotiations.
The envoy’s remarks highlighted the growing importance of political and personal diplomacy in strengthening economic and strategic cooperation between the two countries.
