Will strengthen partnership with India: US Ambassador

President Droupadi Murmu accepts credentials from US Ambassador Sergio Gor at Rashtrapati Bhavan, Wednesday. ANI

As Sergio Gor, 38, presented his credentials to President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Wednesday, he formally became United States’ 27th Ambassador to India. Gor has also been appointed as the special envoy to South and Central Asia by US President Donald Trump.

In a statement, Gor said, “It is an honor to present my credentials to Indian President Murmu and to serve in India at a time of such promise and opportunity in the U.S.-India relationship. I look forward to working closely with the Government of India and the Indian people to advance our shared priorities in defense, trade, technology, and critical minerals, and to further strengthen the partnership between our two great democracies.”

“Today, I presented my credentials as U.S. Ambassador to India to President Droupadi Murmu. I am grateful to President Trump for his trust and confidence, and proud to carry forward his Administration’s priorities. Together, we will strengthen our partnership in security, trade, energy, and technology, building the U.S.-India partnership that will define the 21st century,” he posted on X.

He did not make any statement regarding his role as South and Central Asia envoy. It will be important to watch how he navigates sensitivities in Delhi, especially with regard to ties with Pakistan.

Prior to assuming his duties in New Delhi, Gor was Assistant to the President and Director of Presidential Personnel in the White House. He was sworn in as the US Ambassador to India in mid-November last year. He was named as Ambassador to India in August last year and the US Senate confirmed his appointment in October.

Gor comes at a time when there has been a slide in India-US ties, which began after Trump imposed 50 per cent tariffs on India, including a 25 per cent penalty for New Delhi’s imports of Russian oil. The US administration has also charged prohibitive fees for the H-1B visa applicants, which are mainly from India. So, he has a challenging task ahead to repair the damage.

Besides Gor, Chandradath Singh, High Commissioner of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago; and Robert Zischg, Ambassador of the Republic of Austria, presented their credentials to Murmu, a Rashtrapati Bhavan statement said.

According to his profile on the US Embassy website, Gor graduated from George Washington University, and has worked extensively in national politics including in the US House of Representatives, US Senate, and on numerous presidential campaigns.