Sergio Gor, US President Donald Trump’s nominee for ambassador to India, has described India as a strategic partner and said Washington and New Delhi are “not that far apart right now” on trade deal.
Gor said this while appearing before the Senate for his confirmation hearing on Thursday.
Gor said India’s geographic location, economic growth, and military strength make it a cornerstone of regional stability and an essential partner in promoting prosperity and advancing shared security interests.
Calling India one of the United States’ most important relationships globally, Gor pledged to advance US interests by strengthening defence cooperation, ensuring fair and mutually beneficial trade, enhancing energy security, and deepening technological collaboration.
“India’s geographic position, economic growth and military capabilities make it a cornerstone of regional stability and a critical part of promoting prosperity and advancing the security interests that our nations share. India is one of the most important relationships our nation has in the world. I will work to deliver on a presidential agenda and advance US interests by increasing our defence cooperation, ensuring fair and beneficial trade deepening, energy security and furthering technology,” he added.
Softened Stance Of United States Toward India
Gor’s remarks reflect a softened stance by the United States toward India, following President Trump’s signals earlier this week of a thaw in the bilateral tensions between the two countries.
Trump described the India-US relationship as “very special” and affirmed his personal friendship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“I always will. I’ll always be friends with Modi. He’s a great Prime Minister. I’ll always be friends, but I just don’t like what he is doing at this particular moment. But India and the United States have a very special relationship. There is nothing to worry about. We just have moments on occasion,” Trump said.
Trump’s 50% tariffs
Trump’s 50% tariffs on Indian imports took effect on August 27. Washington first imposed 25% over what it termed unfair trade, followed by another 25% as a penalty for New Delhi’s oil purchases from Russia.
India has criticized the US decision to imposse 50% tariff, claiming it is being unfairly targeted while several European countries continue large-scale imports of Russian oil and gas. New Delhi highlighted that Europe conducted trade worth EUR 67.5 billion in goods with Russia in 2024 and EUR 17.2 billion in services in 2023, despite the ongoing conflict. Officials in India argue this demonstrates double standards, as European nations have not faced comparable restrictions despite maintaining commercial ties with Moscow.