'Last 1% Left': India-US Trade Pact To Be Announced Soon? Sergio Gor Drops Big Hint

The long-awaited India-US trade agreement is in its final phase, with just "the last one per cent" of negotiations remaining, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said on Tuesday. Speaking at the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum Leadership Summit, Gor expressed confidence that the deal, under negotiation for nearly 18 months, would be concluded soon, saying it would deliver significant benefits for both countries."We are in the final steps on this deal. Most of this deal is complete. There's a few items that remain on both sides. It's in the last 1 per cent of that deal," he said.The US envoy to India was bullish about the bilateral relationship and cited the personal equation between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi

which was driving the ties."People ask, why is this taking so long? We've been at this for a year and a half. To put it into perspective, we've been trading for 20 years. So no matter what, once we beat the European deal, I think we're in good shape. But I'm determined to bring this to a close," he said.

'Trump has fond memories of India': Gor

Gor also revealed that the President has very fond memories of his visit to India and still continues to talk about it."His visit last time, it was one of his most remarkable visits that he continues to talk about. He holds it in a very fond place. It's an incredible thing. So I look forward to … having the President visit us back in India," Gor said.The ambassador also announced that the Quad foreign ministers are scheduled to meet in the Philippines in about two weeks from now.Earlier in an exclusive interview with IANS at the White House, Gor dismissed suggestions of strains in bilateral relations and said the friendship between the two leaders had remained strong over the years. "I think we're in a great place," Gor said when asked about the current state of India-US relations."One of the big anchors to that relationship is the relationship between the President and the Prime Minister that has always remained strong.""The President and Prime Minister are great friends, and that's something that goes back years ago, and it's something that will continue to go years ahead."Gor said the relationship between the two leaders was built on shared leadership styles and a common focus on delivering results.(With agency inputs)