India-US trade deal not far away, says Sergio Gor amid ongoing negotiations

US-India Trade Deal Update: Sergio Gor, the nominated US Ambassador to India and a longtime ally of US President Donald Trump, has said that the India-US trade deal is "not far away". Last month, the 47th American president named Gor as the next US envoy to New Delhi, describing him as a “great friend”. Currently, Gor serves as White House Presidential Personnel Office Director. 

In the ongoing trade talks, the US wants the Indian market to open up for crude oil, petroleum products and LNG, said Gor, adding: "India’s middle class is larger than the entire US population."

However, he also said that India should stop buying oil from Russia, echoing Trump's repeated criticism of India's ongoing oil trade with Russia while the European war is on.

Last month, an additional US duty of 25 per cent on Indian goods took effect over India's Russian oil purchases, taking the overall tariff to 50 per cent.

India has stood firm on its stance that its purchases of Russian oil are both legal and in the country's national interest, describing criticism from Western governments as "unjustified".

US expects more from India than the rest of the World: Sergio Gor

"We believe that expectations from India are higher compared to the rest of the world," said Gor.

The latest remarks, indicating that India is crucial to the US for the future, turned out to be softer compared to his earlier stance to justify America's 50 per cent tariff while suggesting that India should apologise for its trade ties with Russia.

Trump's "great friend" Sergio Gor set to be the youngest-ever envoy to New Delhi 

Trump has emphasised deep trust in Gor to advance his administration’s agenda in the world’s fifth-largest economy, describing him as a "great friend" while announcing his name for the envoy's role. 

Gor will also serve as Special Envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs.

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Gor has worked on Trump’s historic presidential campaigns, published his best-selling books, and managed one of the largest super political action committees (PACs) supporting the “America First” movement, according to the US president.

Gor is undergoing confirmation hearings in the US Senate.

Once confirmed, he is set to become the youngest-ever American envoy to India.

The development comes as trade deal talks have resumed between Indian and American sides.

This week, PM Narendra Modi and Trump expressed confidence in resolving the trade barriers between both countries. 

The US and India are the largest and the fifth-largest economies in the world. 

What are the main duties of an ambassador to another country?

An ambassador to a foreign country serves as the highest-ranking official representation of their home government in the host nation, with key roles and responsibilities including representing their country's interests abroad, and in maintaining their diplomatic relations.

Ambassadors promote their home nation’s policies, values and interests while protecting the rights and welfare of their citizens residing or traveling in the host country.

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