Donald Trump has nominated his longtime aide Sergio Gor as the next US ambassador to India. The announcement comes at a time when relations between Washington and New Delhi face strain over trade tariffs and India’s oil purchases from Russia.
Trump, in a social media post on Friday, praised Gor as a “great friend” who has “been at my side for many years.” Gor, 38, is currently serving as director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office. Along with his new role as envoy, he will also act as a special envoy for South and Central Asian affairs.
“I am pleased to announce that I am promoting Sergio Gor to be our next United States Ambassador to the Republic of India,” Trump said.
Strong Support From Top US Officials
Several senior US officials welcomed Gor’s nomination. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Gor would be an “excellent representative of America in one of the most important relationships our nation has in the world.”
Vice President JD Vance also backed him, saying Gor “will make a fantastic ambassador for our country to India.”
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US Deputy Secretary of Defense Elbridge Colby echoed the same view. “It will be superb to have President Trump’s wise and trusted counselor Sergio Gor as our ambassador to India. The US-India relationship is tremendously important, and it will be critical to have someone so able and insightful in this key role,” he said.
Gor will succeed Eric Garcetti, who served as ambassador from May 2023 to January 2025.
Why Sergio Gor?
Many observers point out that Gor has little direct experience with India. However, insiders stress that his close relationship with Trump makes him one of the most powerful picks for the role.
A source quoted by Politico said, “The president is sending a powerful signal to the Modi government by sending an envoy that is very personally close to him.” The source added, “Sergio is a clear signal that the negotiations need to be serious and that all messages come from the president.”
This appointment is seen as Trump’s way of ensuring New Delhi gets unfiltered feedback from the White House.
Who Is Sergio Gor?
Sergio Gor was born in Uzbekistan, then part of the Soviet Union, and later moved to Malta as a child. He pursued higher education in the United States and became active in Republican politics.
He worked closely with Senator Rand Paul before joining Trump’s circle as a fundraiser and book publisher. He also served as an amateur wedding DJ before climbing up political ranks.
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Trump credited Gor for his successful management of White House personnel. He said that Gor filled 95 percent of positions and will continue in that role until the Senate confirms his ambassadorship.
Tensions in US-India Relations
The nomination comes against the backdrop of growing friction between the two nations. Trump recently threatened to double tariffs on Indian goods to 50 percent. He also criticized India for continuing to buy Russian oil despite the war in Ukraine.
The President even called India a “dead” economy with “obnoxious” trade barriers.
India, meanwhile, is strengthening trade ties with the European Union and recalibrating relations with China and Russia. Still, both India and the US share deep strategic, defense, and technological links worth protecting. Bilateral trade between the two nations currently stands at over $190 billion annually.
Analysts React
Former White House strategist Steve Bannon highlighted Gor’s proximity to Trump as his biggest strength. “I believe Sergio is the only person outside of [chief of staff] Susie [Wiles] and a handful of others who actually has walk-in privileges to the president at any time, day or night,” Bannon said.
He added, “Does he have a deep knowledge base of the Indian policy issues? He doesn’t, but this guy’s a quick study… he has a unique trust. The president trusts this guy, that he’s dealing with him straight.”
This appointment signals that despite tensions, the US values its partnership with India. By sending a trusted confidant like Gor, Trump aims to strengthen communication at the highest level.
