Washington,  Sept 12 Sergio Gor, US President Donald Trump’s nominee for ambassador to India, said on Thursday that Washington and New Delhi are close to solving tariff issues.

Gor, who is a close aide of Trump and head of the White House Presidential Personnel Office, told a Senate panel that trade disagreements could be resolved in the next few weeks

He admitted there were differences on tariffs and India’s purchase of Russian oil, but stressed that the US-India relationship remains warm and important.

At the hearing, Gor said, “We’re not that far apart on a deal. I think it will be settled soon.” He also added that the US and India have shared strategic goals and a much warmer relationship than with China.

In a rare gesture, Secretary of State Marco Rubio introduced Gor at the Senate hearing. Rubio said, “India is one of the most important relationships the US has for shaping the future world order.”