Christmas diplomacy: Indian envoy holds talks with US counterpart to resolve tariff disputes

Washington: India's Ambassador to the United States, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, met with his American counterpart, Sergio Gor, at Mar-a-Lago to discuss the enhancement of commercial relations and the broader strategic alliance between the two countries.

The meeting between the two top diplomats comes at a critical juncture as New Delhi and Washington work toward a trade agreement amidst ongoing discussions regarding import tariffs on Indian products. Ambassador Kwatra detailed the encounter in a social media post, noting that the leaders held extensive talks on their common objective to bolster trade ties. Kwatra also stated that he and Gor reviewed the incoming U.S. envoy's specific priorities and strategic plans for the bilateral relationship as Gor prepares to officially assume his post in India.

Ambassador Gor echoed the positive sentiment of the meeting on X, formerly Twitter, highlighting that the occasion marked Kwatra's first visit to the Mar-a-Lago estate. Following their diplomatic exchange, Gor shared holiday greetings for Christmas and the New Year and held a separate meeting with President Donald Trump.

While high-level diplomacy continued in Florida, the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi announced a temporary suspension of its operations. Officials confirmed that the embassy and all consulates across India would remain closed from Dec. 24 through Dec. 26. The three-day closure follows a presidential executive order mandating that federal executive departments and agencies shut down during this period, resulting in the unavailability of routine consular services for the duration of the holiday break.

With inputs from ANI