Trade, T20: An evening of India-US camaraderie

Friendship, trade, cricket and warm hospitality took centre stage at the reception welcoming new US Ambassador Sergio Gor. Diplomats, industrialists and politicians gathered at his residence in the capital recently, with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Commerce & Industry Minister Piyush Goyal among the attendees.

‘THE POTENTIAL BETWEEN OUR COUNTRIES IS LIMITLESS’India and the United States recently issued a joint statement on a newly announced trade pact. Under the agreement, tariffs on Indian products entering the US will fall from 50% to 18% – the move follows months of negotiations that began in February last year. Addressing the gathering, Ambassador Gor said, “I am delighted to see so many of you here. I have been here for over a month, and we hit the ground running. The White House is paying attention to India, our President is paying attention to India, and thanks to the friendship between President Trump and PM Modi, we were able to get the trade deal across. Now with the trade deal behind us, I told the team at the embassy that this is not the end – it's just the beginning. The potential between our countries is limitless.”




Speaking to colleagues from the diplomatic community, he added, “I wanted to be in India because it is the place that matters for the relationship that the United States has with India and the world. I believe all of you realise the potential in the incredible place we find ourselves in for the next years."

He’s my friend, brother, partnerin-crime and comrade: Piyush Goyal about Ambassador GorReferring to Gor as his “friend, brother, comrade and partner-incrime,” Piyush Goyal shared how the two struck an instant bond when they first met in New York. He added, “I wish you well in your assignment and a wonderful stay in India. Do meet the many wonderful people across the country who would love to know you. Without a doubt, I can say this country, with its warm hospitality, will be great fun to work in.”

On a lighter note, Goyal remarked, “It is another matter that the US could not win the match against India in the recent T20 World Cup. But I must say, for a country that started cricket only a few years ago, the performance was fabulous.” Drawing laughter from the guests, he continued, “Sergio Gor was at the match and pointed out an important factor – the US lost by 18%. My humble suggestion was that if only you had made the reciprocal total tariff zero, you would have won.”Get the latest entertainment updates from the Times of India, along with the latest Hindi movies, upcoming Hindi movies in 2026 , and Telugu movies.”