Overview

• Ambassador‑designate Sergio Gor told senators the sides are negotiating the nitty‑gritty of an agreement and that India’s commerce and trade ministers were invited to Washington next week to meet USTR Jamieson Greer.
• The 50% U.S. duty on Indian goods remains in force after being doubled from August 27 following an earlier 25% reciprocal tariff and an additional 25% tied to Russian crude purchases.
• Gor said getting India to stop buying Russian oil is a top White House priority and linked progress on tariffs to that shift, adding that Washington expects more from close partners.
• Internal pressure continued as NATO envoy Matthew Whitaker urged additional sanctions and tariffs on countries buying Russian oil and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said a deal comes once India stops those purchases.
• U.S. negotiators are also pressing for Indian market access for American crude, petroleum products and LNG, with Gor vowing to deepen defense ties and pull New Delhi closer to Washington and away from Beijing.