Washington: The US-India trade deal is in its final steps, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor stated on Tuesday. The envoy further expressed hope in the sealing of the deal, explaining that only the last one per cent of negotiations is left to be concluded, after nearly 18 months of talks.
"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.
Gor's remarks came on the heels of his address to the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum Leadership Summit here.
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.
The US envoy said President Donald Trump 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.