Will ensure US officials regularly visit India, ties are taken to next level: Sergio Gor

Seeking to inject fresh momentum into the India–US strategic partnership, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor on Tuesday said he would ensure that senior American government officials regularly travel to India as the two sides work to take bilateral cooperation “to the next level”.

Gor’s remarks came as US Senator Steve Daines, a key member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, concluded a three-day visit to India, during which he held meetings with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, members of Parliament, and senior representatives of Indian and American industry.

“As we work to take the partnership between our two nations to the next level in cooperation, I will ensure that senior government officials will regularly travel to India,” Gor said, describing Daines’ engagements in New Delhi as “instrumental” in advancing the bilateral relationship.

He noted that Senator Daines, who has extensive experience in Asia, played a key role in pushing forward discussions with both government and private sector stakeholders at a time when India–US ties were expanding across defence, technology, supply chains and trade.

Reflecting on his visit, Senator Daines said he had come to India to reaffirm the two countries’ shared democratic values and strategic alignment, while also advocating for American farmers. “I appreciated Minister Goyal for listening to our farmers’ concerns and will continue to work with President Donald Trump to press this important priority,” he said.

Trade issues, particularly market access for US agricultural products, figured prominently in the discussions. During meetings with senior Indian officials and parliamentarians, Daines raised concerns over India’s 30 per cent tariff on yellow peas, stressing the need for fair and reciprocal terms in any future bilateral trade agreement. Montana, which he represents, is the largest producer of pulse crops in the US, while India is the world’s biggest consumer.

The Senator also discussed growing defence cooperation, joint efforts to secure critical supply chains and the importance of the India–US partnership in preserving a stable and open Indo-Pacific, officials said. He urged acceleration of ongoing talks towards a comprehensive trade deal aligned with the priorities of the Trump administration.