‘Real friends can disagree, but always resolve differences’: Sergio Gor takes charge as US Ambassador to India, says New Delhi to be invited to Pax Silica

Describing the India-US ties as the most “consequential global partnership of this century”, the new United States ambassador Sergio Gor said Monday that trade negotiators from both sides will talk on Tuesday, and India will be invited to join the Pax Silica, the US-led coalition on the critical minerals supply chain.

Gor, who arrived late Friday night, took charge as the US Ambassador to India on Monday.

“In fact, the next call on trade will occur tomorrow. Remember, India is the world’s largest nation, so it’s not an easy task to get this across the finish line, but we are determined to get there, and while trade is very important for our relationship, we will continue to work closely together on other very important areas, such as security, counterterrorism, energy, technology, education and health,” he said, outlining the areas of possible cooperation.

Pax Silica is a US-led strategic initiative to build a secure, prosperous, and innovation-driven silicon supply chain, from critical minerals and energy inputs to advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, AI, development, and logistics. Nations that joined last month include Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and Israel.

Gor said, “Today, I’m pleased to announce that India will be invited to join this group of nations as a full member next month.”

Days after US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick blamed India for dragging its feet on the India-US trade deal, Gor said, “The United States and India are bound not just by shared interest, but by a relationship anchored at the highest levels. Real friends can disagree, but always resolve their differences”.

“In the end, last week, our great Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, powerfully stated that this year will be a year of reciprocity. We are raising the standard for diplomacy itself, which means fair trade, mutual respect and shared security. Many of you have asked me for an update on the ongoing trade deal negotiations. Both sides continue to actively engage.”

He said that he has “come to this remarkable nation with profound respect” and with a “mission to take the partnership between our two great nations to the next level”.

He recalled that he first visited India in 2013, when he went to Jaipur and Ranthambore in Rajasthan, and Punjab, among other places, which left an impression on him. “When President Trump asked me to come here, I was thrilled,” he said.

He said that he met Trump last week, when the US President recounted his experience visiting India in February 2020, and his “friendship with the great Prime Minister of India, Prime Minister Modi”. “I also hope that the President will be visiting us soon, hopefully in the next year or two,” he said.