NEWLY confirmed US Ambas
sador to India Sergio Gor met
Prime Minister Narendra Modi
in New Delhi on Saturday,
marking his first official en
gagement since taking office.
The meeting focused on trade,
defense, technology, and criti
cal minerals as both sides work
to reset relations strained in re
cent months.
“We just finished an incredi
ble meeting with Prime Minister
Modi where we discussed bilat
eral issues including defense,
trade, and technology,” Gor said
in a statement issued by the US
Embassy. “We also discussed
the importance of critical min
erals to both of our nations. I
am optimistic about the days
ahead for both of our nations.”
Modi said he was “glad” to
meet Gor and wished him suc
cess in his tenure. “I am confi
dent that his tenure will further
strengthen the India-US com
prehensive global strategic
partnership,” the prime minis
ter posted on X.
Gor, a close ally of President
Donald Trump, also met Exter
nal Affairs Minister Subrah
manyam Jaishankar, Foreign
Secretary Vikram Misri, and
National Security Advisor Ajit
Doval during his first full day in
the capital.
Relations between Washing
ton and New Delhi have been
tense amid disputes over tariffs,
visa fees, and India’s purchase
of Russian oil. Trump has im
posed some of the world’s high
est tariffs on Indian goods and
criticized New Delhi’s continued
energy trade with Moscow,
which the US says helps fund
the war in Ukraine.
Despite those challenges,
both leaders have recently ad
opted a more conciliatory tone.
Modi called Trump earlier this
week to congratulate him on
“the success of the historic Ga
za peace plan,” calling the
United States a “close friend
and natural partner.”(With in
puts from agencies)
Trump’s new envoy to India meets Modi
THE ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA has
announced that assembly elections in Bihar
state will be held in two phases, with polling
on November 6 and 11 and counting of votes
on November 14. The entire process will con
clude by November 16.
“Bihar elections will be held in two phases on
November 6 and 11. Counting of votes will be done
on November 14,” Chief Election Commissioner
Gyanesh Kumar said at a press conference, describ
ing the exercise as the “mother of all elections.”
In the first phase, 121 assembly constituencies
will go to polls, followed by voting in 122 constitu
encies in the second phase. Bihar’s 243-member
assembly includes two seats reserved for Sched
uled Tribes and 38 for Scheduled Castes. The term
of the current assembly ends on November 22.
For the first phase, the last date for filing nomi
nations is October 17, scrutiny will be held on
October 18, and the last date for withdrawal is
October 20. For the second phase, nominations
can be filed until October 20, scrutiny will take
place on October 21, and the deadline for with
drawal is October 23.
The Election Commission said the counting of
postal ballots must be completed before the last
two rounds of vote counting.
Nomination process begins for second phase
In Patna, officials said the filing of nomination
papers for 122 assembly seats that will go to polls
in the second phase began Monday with the Elec
tion Commission issuing its notification for voting
on November 11.
Candidates can submit their nominations until
October 20, and the final list will be released after
withdrawals close on October 23.
Modi’s financial push ahead of polls
The announcement of the election schedule fol
lows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent move
to transfer $845 million (75 billion rupees) to
women in Bihar under a new employment plan
launched by his ruling National Democratic Alli
ance (NDA).
Addressing women via video link on September
26, Modi said 7.5 million women had already
joined the initiative, with 10,000 rupees deposited
into their bank accounts.
The program aims to support women’s employ
ment in small-scale ventures such as agriculture,
handicrafts, and other sectors.
Beneficiaries will also be eligible for additional
financial assistance of up to 200,000 rupees in
later phases.
“I see millions of women on the screen, and
their blessings are a great source of strength for all
of us,” Modi said during his address.
Women have become an increasingly influential
voting bloc in Bihar, with higher turnout than men
in recent elections. Political parties across the
spectrum have intensified efforts to attract female
voters, who are seen as crucial to electoral success
in the state.
High-stakes contest
The upcoming Bihar polls are expected to be a key
test for Modi’s NDA, which is seeking to retain
power in one of India’s poorest but politically sig
nificant states. The alliance faces a challenge from
the opposition Congress and its regional allies.
Bihar, India’s third most populous state, often
serves as a political bellwether alongside Uttar
Pradesh and Maharashtra.
The results will also be closely watched nation
ally as Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party navigates
one of the most challenging phases of his 11
years in office, following the loss of its outright
majority in last year’s national election. (With in
puts from agencies)
Bihar elections to be held
in two phases next month
POLLS SEEN AS KEY TEST FOR MODI’S ALLIANCE AS WOMEN VOTERS EMERGE AS DECISIVE BLOC
India
www.indiaweekly.biz • October 2025
09
HIGH STAKES: Chief
election commissioner
Gyanesh Kumar
announces Bihar poll
dates at a press
conference in New Delhi
PERSONAL TOUCH: Sergio Gor presents Narendra
Modi with a signed photo from Trump saying, “Mr PM,
you are great”
© X/@narendramodi