India, Jan. 12 -- US ambassador-designate Sergio Gor struck a conciliatory tone on Monday amid unprecedented strains in bilateral relations by emphasising India's importance as a partner for the US and said the two sides remain actively engaged for concluding a trade deal, and that India would soon be part of Pax Silica.

The US and India are bound by shared interests and a "relationship anchored at the highest levels", and Washington will invite New Delhi next month to join Pax Silica, the flagship American initiative to build a secure and resilient global supply chain for semiconductors and AI technology, he said in a speech at the US embassy three days after arriving in the country.

The remarks by Gor, a close aide of President Donald...