The United States and India remain actively engaged in talks on a bilateral trade agreement aimed at strengthening their economic and strategic partnership, despite tensions over New Delhi’s continued purchases of Russian oil, the US ambassador-designate to India said Monday.

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, India has become the world’s second-largest buyer of Russian crude after China, drawing sharp criticism from the Trump administration. In August, US President Donald Trump imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods over the oil purchases, raising total US tariffs on India to 50%.

Speaking on his first day at the US Embassy in New Delhi, ambassador-designate Sergio Gor said the next round of trade-related talks was scheduled for Tuesday. “Real friends can disagree, but always resolve their differences in the end,” Gor said, adding that Washington remains determined to finalize an agreement despite the complexities involved with the world’s most populous country.

Gor, who also serves as US special envoy to South and Central Asia, announced that India will be formally invited next month to join Pax Silica, a US-led strategic initiative focused on building a secure silicon supply chain covering critical minerals, energy, semiconductors, advanced manufacturing and artificial intelligence.

India and the US have been negotiating a trade agreement since early 2025, but talks stalled over Russian oil imports and Indian concerns about protecting small farmers and domestic industries.

Gor said trade is central to bilateral ties, alongside cooperation on security, counterterrorism, energy, technology, education and health.

Amid rising US tariffs, India has accelerated efforts to finalize other free trade agreements, including a deal with Oman last month and completed negotiations with New Zealand.