India Weekly Issue 04

Trump aide named US envoy

SERGIO GOR BECOMES YOUNGEST AMERICAN AMBASSADOR TO INDIA AT 38

News

www.indiaweekly.biz • October 2025

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SERGIO GOR has been confirmed by the

United States Senate as the next US Ambas­

sador to India, becoming the youngest

American envoy to New Delhi at 38. His ap­

pointment marks a significant step in Wash­

ington’s continued focus on strengthening

its strategic partnership with India amid

growing geopolitical challenges in the Indo-

Pacific region.

Gor was among 107 nominees approved in an

en bloc vote in the Senate on Tuesday, with 51

senators voting in favor and 47 against, even as

the government remains partially shut down.

Other key confirmations included Paul Kapur of

California as Assistant Secretary of State for

South Asian Affairs and Anjani Sinha of Florida

as Ambassador to Singapore.

President Donald Trump, who nominated Gor

in August, also named him Special Envoy for

South and Central Asian Affairs. Announcing the

nomination, Trump described Gor as “a great

friend, who has been at my side for many years.”

He added, “For the most populous region in the

world, it is important that I have someone I can

fully trust to deliver on my agenda and help us

‘Make America Great Again.’ Sergio will make an

incredible Ambassador.”

India’s Ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan

Kwatra, welcomed Gor’s nomination at the

time, calling him one of Trump’s most trust­

ed  aides. Kwatra said the choice reflected the

importance Washington attaches to its relation­

ship with India.

At his Senate Foreign Relations Committee

confirmation hearing last month, Gor said India

was a key strategic partner whose trajectory

would influence the region and beyond. “Im­

proving US-India trade ties will not only bolster

US competitiveness but also reduce China’s eco­

nomic leverage over other nations,” he said.

Gor stressed that India’s role in ensuring

regional stability and security “cannot be under­

stated.” He told senators that a stable South

Asia was in the interest of the United States

and all nations, adding, “The US-India partner­

ship will define the 21st century. It is only by

working together that we can make that aspira­

tion a reality. If confirmed as ambassador, I will

work to ensure the United States remains a

global leader while fostering a partnership that

benefits both nations.”

Following his confirmation, the US-India Stra­

tegic Partnership Forum (USISPF) congratulated

both Gor and Kapur. The forum said it looked

forward to progress on trade, technology coop­

eration, energy partnerships, and education ties

under Gor’s tenure.

USISPF President and CEO Dr. Mukesh Aghi

called Gor’s confirmation “timely and decisive,”

saying it signals that the US-India relationship “is

a top priority for the administration and the re­

gion.” He added, “Together, through the right

diplomatic channels, we can iron out the creases

and reach consensus.”

Acknowledging that recent trade tensions had

created friction, the forum said Gor’s views dur­

ing his hearing reflected optimism. “We strongly

agree with Ambassador Gor that Washington and

New Delhi have more in common with each

other than with Moscow or Beijing,” it said.

India is also expected to host the next Quad

Leaders’ Summit later this year, bringing togeth­

er leaders of Australia, Japan, India, and the US

to further their cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.

The dates are yet to be finalized.

Gor arrived in India on a six-day visit follow­

ing  his Senate confirmation, accompanied by

Deputy Secretary for Management and Resourc­

es Michael J. Rigas. On his first official engage­

ment in New Delhi, he met Prime Minister Nar­

endra Modi.

“Glad to receive Mr. Sergio Gor, Ambassador-

designate of the US to India. I’m confident that

his tenure will further strengthen the India-US

Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership,”

Modi said in a post on X.

The meeting came at a time when India-US

ties have faced strain after Washington imposed

50 percent tariffs on Indian exports. However,

recent phone conversations between Trump and

Modi have indicated renewed diplomatic engage­

ment and optimism about easing trade tensions.

As Gor prepares to formally present his cre­

dentials, both sides have expressed hope that his

appointment will help steer relations toward

greater cooperation on trade, defense, energy,

and technology, reinforcing what both govern­

ments call one of the most consequential bilat­

eral partnerships of the century.

POWER SHIFT:

Sergio Gor

© Patrick T Fallon/Getty Images