Washington (TDI): US President Donald Trump has announced the nomination of Sergio Gor, one of his closest aides, as Washington’s next ambassador to India.
The move comes amid heightened trade tensions between the two countries, with Trump’s administration set to double tariffs on Indian goods next week.
Gor currently serves as director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office and, if confirmed by the US Senate, will also act as special envoy for South and Central Asian affairs. Trump said Gor would continue in his present role until the confirmation process is complete, according to Reuters.
“Sergio is a great friend, who has been at my side for many years. He worked on my historic presidential campaigns, published my best-selling books, and ran one of the biggest Super PACs that supported our movement,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, describing Gor as a trusted ally who could advance his agenda abroad.
Read More: India in Trump’s Crosshairs: President Threatens to Raise Tariffs Further
In a post on X, Gor thanked Trump for the nomination, calling it “the honour of my life” to represent the United States in India.
US-India relations have grown tense under Trump, largely due to escalating trade disputes. Bilateral talks over tariffs broke down after New Delhi resisted opening its agriculture and dairy sectors. Trump has since raised tariffs on Indian imports by 25%, with plans to double them to 50% on August 27 in response to India’s increasing purchases of Russian oil.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent this week accused India of “profiteering” from Russian crude, noting that Moscow’s share in India’s oil imports had risen from less than 1% before the Ukraine war to 42%.
Read More: US-India Tensions Rise as Trump Aide Links New Delhi with Russia’s War Effort
Indian Trade Minister Piyush Goyal said Friday that New Delhi was approaching future trade ties with Washington “with a very open mind,” highlighting the importance of the relationship.
Trump’s announcement came shortly after US trade negotiators abruptly cancelled a planned visit to New Delhi from August 25–29.
Farkhund Yousafzai is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
