Overview
- Sergio Gor assumed charge in New Delhi, calling India the United States’ most essential partner and striking a reconciliatory tone.
- Trade negotiators are set to hold a call on January 13 to resume efforts toward a bilateral deal after repeated setbacks.
- Gor said India will be invited next month to join PaxSilica, a U.S.-led initiative spanning critical minerals, semiconductors, AI infrastructure and logistics, alongside Japan, South Korea, the UK and Israel.
- He emphasized the personal rapport between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said he hopes the president could visit in the next year or two.
- Key obstacles persist, including steep U.S. tariffs and unresolved market‑access issues such as agriculture and dairy that have stalled prior rounds.