US Envoy Signals Strong Modi-Trump Bilateral at G20, Trade Deal Near
US envoy says PM Modi is Trump's top G20 priority, with a bilateral meeting likely and a trade deal close.
US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor has indicated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be a priority for President Donald Trump at the upcoming G20 Summit in Florida this December. In an interview, Gor stated that if President Trump were asked which leader he most wanted to meet among the attendees, the Prime Minister would be at the top of that list, citing their personal friendship.
Gor suggested the visit would likely extend beyond the multilateral summit, hinting at a possible bilateral meeting between the two leaders. Such a meeting would be their first since trade tensions escalated over US reciprocal tariffs on India.
On the trade front, the Ambassador expressed optimism, stating the two nations are "very close" to finalising a bilateral trade deal. He noted that negotiations are being reworked following a recent Supreme Court decision but expressed hope for a conclusion within the next few months. He contextualised the timeline by pointing out that such large-scale negotiations often take considerable time, referencing the EU's multi-decade talks as a comparison.
Gor also praised PM Modi for bringing stability to India, which he said makes the country a valuable partner for the US. He conveyed that Washington desires a stable India and wants to strengthen its working relationship with New Delhi.
The Ambassador signalled a period of intensified diplomatic engagement, stating India should "get used to" more frequent visits from senior US officials. He confirmed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to return to India in October, a rare second visit within the year. Additionally, three US state governors are expected to visit before year's end, and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar may travel to the US three times in the next four months.
Regarding the Quad, Gor emphasised its central role in cooperation between India, the US, Japan, and Australia. He noted that a Quad ministerial meeting is slated for Sydney next month and that the nations are working towards a potential leaders' summit later this year. The Ambassador also confirmed that recent Quad Sherpa-level talks were hosted in New Delhi.