has said during a trip to Delhi. The next call to discuss the deal was scheduled for Tuesday, Gor said, but did not elaborate on who would participate. He also said the friendship between US President Donald Trump and Indian PM Narendra Modi was real and that "real friends can disagree but will always resolve their differences at the end".  Gor's remarks come just days after some US officials blamed India for the delay in signing the deal, a claim that Delhi has denied.

Trade negotiations between the nations have been strained since the US imposed 50% tariffs on Indian goods - the highest in Asia - in August, including penalties linked to India's purchase of Russian oil. Washington has pushed for greater access to India's agricultural sector, a long-standing sticking point which Delhi has strongly resisted. Sworn in at the White House in November, Gor is yet to formally present his credentials to India's president. On Monday, he was formally welcomed as the ambassador at an event in Delhi.

The ceremony had the feel of a mini-inauguration, rich in pomp and careful stage-management. A round of applause greeted him before he addressed reporters. Classic American songs filled the room - a playlist, aides said, personally chosen by the ambassador - with tracks ranging from Hello, It's Me by Lionel Richie to YMCA by Village People and Ring of Fire by Johnny Cash. Speaking to reporters, he described India as having "no partner more essential" than the US, adding that the bilateral relationship could become the "most consequential" partnership of the century.

"Remember, India is the world's largest nation, so it's not an easy task to get this across the finish line, but we are determined to get there," Gor said, adding that the two sides were also working closely on " other very important areas" - such as security, counterterrorism, energy, technology, education and health. (BBC)