India-US Trade Deal Back in Focus as Jaishankar Meets US Envoy Sergio Gor Ahead of Washington Visit

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met US AmbassadorSergio Gor on Thursday ahead of his scheduled trip to Washington next week. The talks focused on key dimensions of bilateral ties, including in areas such as trade, critical minerals and defence. The meeting comes at a time when New Delhi and Washington are stepping up engagement and are likely to finalise a bilateral trade deal after months of tensions over tariffs. After the meeting, EAM Jaishankar said the discussions covered "the many dimensions" of bilateral ties and expressed confidence that Sergio Gor would play a role in further strengthening relations between the two countries."Pleased to meet @USAmbIndia Sergio Gor today in New Delhi. Our conversation covered the many dimensions of our

partnership," Jaishankar said on social media. "Welcomed him and expressed confidence that he would contribute to the strengthening of India-US relations," he said.

The US ambassador said he and Jaishankar had a "highly substantive discussion that covered everything from defence, trade, critical minerals, and working towards our common interests". "Stay tuned for much more!" Gor, who assumed office earlier this month, said on social media.

Jaishankar to Travel to the US Next Week

EAM Jaishankar is travelling to the United States to attend the inaugural ministerial meeting on critical mineral supply chains. He is expected to hold a bilateral meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio amid indications that both sides are making fresh attempts to conclude a proposed trade deal.

India-US Trade Deal Soon?

India and the US held multiple rounds of negotiations last year to firm up the proposed bilateral trade deal following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's trip to Washington. However, the talks hit a roadblock after US President Donald Trump slapped whopping 50-per cent tariffs on Indian goods, including a 25-per cent punitive levy over Russian oil purchases, in August last year.Apart from the tariffs, the relations came under strain on a number of other issues that included Trump's claim of ending the India-Pakistan conflict in May last year and Washington's new immigration policy.

However, soon after taking charge Gor signalled the US' intent to rebuild ties with India, saying that New Delhi was Washington's most important partner. India and the US have made "very significant" progress in their negotiations for a trade deal, authoritative sources said on Wednesday. New Delhi maintained a steady momentum in the talks with Washington for a positive outcome even during the final stages of concluding its free trade pact with the European Union, they added.