US Has 'Fantastic Relationship' With PM Modi: Trump Hints At 'Big' Trade Deal

The US has a "fantastic" relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Donald Trump said, as he underlined that India is an "important" economic and strategic security partner in the Indo-Pacific

region. Trump made the remarks during the swearing-in ceremony of Sergio Gor as US Ambassador to India in the Oval Office Monday. During the event, he also said the United States is very close to signing a new trade agreement with India that he described as "fair". The President also signalled America's intent to reduce the tariffs it has imposed on IndiaUS Vice President J D Vance administered the oath of office to Gor at a special ceremony in the Oval Office. Trump presided over the ceremony that was attended by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, US Attorney General Pam Bondi, United States Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro as well as Senator Lindsey Graham and the widow of political activist Charlie Kirk, Erika Kirk, among other officials and lawmakers.Trump said that Gor is going to have “great success" in India, as he described the bilateral relationship between India and the US as “very important.”Trump said India has the fastest-growing middle class and is an “important economic and strategic security partner in the Indo-Pacific region.“It's an amazing country, actually, 1.5 billion people. China has 1.4 billion. Those are two big countries. As Ambassador, Sergio will work to fortify our country's bond, promote investments in key US industries and technologies, increase American energy exports and expand our security cooperation,” Trump said.The US Senate had in October confirmed Gor to serve as the United States' next ambassador to India. In August, he was promoted as Director of Presidential Personnel, to be the next US Ambassador to India and Special Envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs.Trump said that in his role as Special Envoy for South and Central Asia, Gor will be a "key emissary to a very important group of nations at the crossroads between East and West."Gor had met PM Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Delhi last month. PM Modi had said in a post on X that he was "glad" to receive Gor and expressed confidence that "his tenure will further strengthen the India–US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership."Gor, who had presented PM Modi with a framed photograph of the joint press conference by him and Trump in the White House in February, had said in a post on X, “An honour to be with PM @narendramodi this evening. Our relationship with India will only strengthen over the months ahead.”Trump had signed the photograph with the message ‘Mr Prime Minister, you are great.”Jaishankar had said in a post on X that he was “pleased” to meet Gor. “Discussed the India-US relationship and its global significance. Wish him the best for his new responsibility.”'Going to Bring the Tariffs Down'Trump has said the United States is very close to signing a new trade agreement with India that he described as "fair". The President also signalled America's intent to reduce the tariffs it has imposed on India."We're getting a fair deal, just a fair trade deal," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Monday during the swearing-in ceremony. "We're making a deal with India — much different deal than we had in the past. We're getting close."Last week, Trump had announced plans to visit India soon. The President said the agreement would seek to boost US energy exports, promote investment in key American industries, and expand security ties with India.Relations between New Delhi and Washington have been reeling under severe stress after Trump imposed 50 per cent tariffs on India, including 25 per cent for its purchases of Russian oil.