Trade negotiations between the United States and India are set to resume this week, marking a renewed attempt by the two countries to resolve differences that have strained one of the world’s most consequential bilateral economic relationships. The announcement was made on January 12 by Sergio Gor, the US ambassador-designate to New Delhi, who emphasized that despite recent frictions, the partnership between Washington and New Delhi remains anchored “at the highest level.”

According to Gor, discussions on a proposed trade agreement will restart on January 13, following several inconclusive rounds held over the past year. The talks come against the backdrop of a sharp escalation in trade tensions after the administration of US President Donald Trump imposed a 50% tariff on Indian goods. Half of that tariff was explicitly framed as a punitive measure in response to India’s continued purchases of Russian oil, a policy choice that Washington has increasingly criticized amid its broader sanctions campaign against Moscow.

“Both sides continue to actively engage. In fact, the next call on trade will occur tomorrow,” Gor said during remarks in New Delhi. He added that the relationship between the two countries extends far beyond trade, encompassing cooperation on security, counterterrorism, energy, technology, education, and health. “The United States and India are bound not just by shared interests, but by a relationship anchored at the highest level,” he said, underscoring the strategic importance Washington attaches to New Delhi. “Real friends can disagree, but always resolve their differences in the end.”

The resumption of talks reflects a mutual recognition that prolonged trade friction would be costly for both economies. The US tariffs, introduced earlier this year, have affected a range of Indian exports, including manufactured goods, steel-related products, and certain technology components. For India, the tariffs have added pressure at a time when New Delhi is trying to position itself as a global manufacturing hub........

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