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Washington DC [अमेरिका]June 30 (ANI): US Ambassador to India Sergio Gore on Monday (local time) said Washington is actively working on coordination for President Donald Trump's visit to India. He also said that the visit was highly unlikely before the US midterm elections in November this year.

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Speaking to ANI, Gore mentioned that initial arrangements for this high-level visit are underway after the official invitation was extended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during bilateral talks in France. "This will not happen any time during the midterm elections... When the Prime Minister met him in France, the Indian side raised the point that he has been invited. We would like to realize this as soon as possible."

PM Modi will go to America for G20

Gore further confirmed that Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to visit the United States to attend the high-profile G20 summit in December 2026. He said that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had formally invited the Indian Prime Minister to visit Washington. "Secretary Marco Rubio invited him when he met with PM Modi... We would love to see him back here. And I know he's coming in December for the G20."

strengthening business relationships

The US envoy said he had recently briefed Trump about his official visits to India as well as the growing commercial and economic infrastructure between the two countries. "I have been with the President for 10 years, so a large part of the conversation was like two friends... but I also told him about my visits to India... I also talked to him about the growing trade ties. On both sides, we see businessmen coming here and going there every week, and it is a win-win situation for both."

These comments follow recent comments by Rubio, who indicated that the Trump administration was targeting the US President's visit to India early next year. "That's what we're hoping to work towards - to bring the President in early next year. I think that's very positive. India is a very close partner and ally of the United States, and the relationship between the Prime Minister and the President could not be closer, which I think is really important in diplomacy."

India-US trade agreement in final stage

Addressing the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) Leadership Summit, Gore also expressed strong confidence that the proposed India-US bilateral trade agreement is close to finalization after nearly 18 months of intense negotiations. "We're in the final stages of this deal. The majority of this deal is done. There are just a few things left on both sides. This is the last 1 percent of that deal."

He pointed out that the length of negotiations should be kept in context, noting that comparable trade agreements in other global contexts have historically taken much longer to materialize. "People ask, why is it taking so long? We've been at it for a year and a half. To put it in perspective, we've been in business for 20 years. So no problem, once we get the European deal done, I think we're in good shape. But I'm determined to finish it."

Gore said Trump often speaks fondly of his previous visits to India and is eager to return. "His last trip, it was one of his most memorable trips which he keeps talking about. He holds it very dear. It's an incredible thing. So I'm... looking forward to getting the President back to India."

The ambassador also announced that foreign ministers of the Quad group are scheduled to hold a ministerial meeting in the Philippines in about two weeks. (ANI)