ET World Leaders Forum 2026: ‘The relationship is as strong as ever’, says US envoy Sergio Gor on India-US ties

US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said the India-US relationship is anchored in trust and the personal friendship between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while emphasising the growing economic, energy and defence ties between the two countries.

Speaking at the ET World Leaders Forum 2026, Gor said the personal relationship between the two leaders makes it easier to address differences and keep communication open.

"The relationship is very important to us, and the fact that our president and Prime Minister Modi have such a deep and personal friendship makes it a lot easier for me," he said.


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Recalling a meeting between Trump and Modi at the G7, Gor said the US president chose to take questions from the media despite an earlier understanding that there would be no questions.

Gor said the two leaders discussed a range of issues during the interaction, including matters concerning the bilateral relationship.

He also highlighted the importance Trump attaches to Modi's support during his time out of office.

"A lot of people from around the world criticize the president. India did not. The prime minister did not, and that's something the president remembers," Gor said.

"When you're up, when you're in the Oval Office, everybody wants to be a friend. But when you're out, that's when you can really realize who your friends are," he added.

Gor said the relationship does not mean the two sides agree on every issue but is built on the ability to be candid with each other.

"It doesn't mean they agree on everything 100% of the times, right? Anyone here in our own family, you're gonna have some disagreements," he said.

According to Gor, he has been encouraging regular communication between the two sides, including through high-level visits and phone calls.

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"Our president and our prime minister get along great. In a way, they're very similar. They're both forward-leaning, and they want action fast, and they're results-driven," he said.

Numbers don't lie

Gor pointed to the growth in bilateral trade as evidence of the strengthening relationship, saying trade between the two countries has risen sharply over the past 15 years.

"The numbers don't lie. If you look at the trajectory of our relationship, just go by the numbers," he said.

"15 years ago, our bilateral trade was 20 billion dollars. Today, it's 240 billion dollars. That's not an accident, and it's continuing to grow."

He said the two leaders have set an ambitious target of $500 billion in bilateral trade and that the two countries are moving towards that goal.

Gor also highlighted growing energy imports from the US, saying India's imports of LPG and LNG from the US are up by over 60% compared with a year ago.

He noted that the US sources 40% of its generic pharmaceutical imports from India and said India conducts more military exercises with the US than with any other country.

"We do need stability. We do need certainty. We hear that from both sides. We hear that in India. We hear that in Washington," Gor said.

On the trade deal, he said, "The trade deal is well on the way."

Natural partnership

Gor said the India-US relationship has significance beyond bilateral ties, describing the two countries as major economic and business powers.

"This relationship will define the global stage. We have two of the biggest giants in business. We have two of the biggest economies. Us working together is a natural partnership," he said.

He said the relationship has continued to grow over successive decades despite short-term disagreements and developments.

"You can look decade by decade, and forget the daily bumps and the daily tweets and whatever you might hear. The relationship's been doing this decade by decade and growing, and I'm determined that it'll continue on that trajectory," Gor said.