Washington/ New Delhi, August 23: President Donald Trump has nominated his longtime aide Sergio Gor as the next United States Ambassador to India, filling a post that has remained vacant since January. The announcement comes against the backdrop of tariff disputes straining ties between Washington and New Delhi.
Trump made the announcement on his social media platform Truth Social, calling Gor a trusted ally who has been by his side for years. “I am pleased to announce that I am promoting Sergio Gor to be our next United States Ambassador to India,” Trump wrote. Referring to India, 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. Congratulations Sergio!”
Alongside the ambassadorial nomination, Gor will also serve as Special Envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs, giving him a wider role in shaping US regional policy.
Gor currently heads the White House Presidential Personnel Office, where, according to Trump, he has overseen the hiring of nearly 4,000 “America First patriots” across federal agencies. “Gor worked on my historic presidential campaigns and published my best-selling books,” Trump said, describing him as a “great friend” and a key player in his administration.
The New Delhi envoy position has been vacant since January, when former ambassador Eric Garcetti was recalled shortly after Trump took office in Washington. Gor’s appointment will require confirmation by the US Senate. Until then, he is expected to remain in his current role at the White House.
“America First,” Trump’s signature political slogan, has been used to signal policies focused on prioritizing domestic jobs and industries. Trump said Gor has been instrumental in delivering on what he called “the unprecedented mandate received from the American people.”
In his own statement, Gor expressed gratitude for the nomination. Posting on social media, he wrote that he was “beyond grateful” for the trust shown by Trump. “It will be the honour of my life to represent the United States,” he said.
If confirmed, Gor will assume his post in New Delhi at a time when bilateral relations face new challenges, including Washington’s recent decision to impose steep tariffs on Indian exports following India’s continued purchase of Russian oil.
