NEW DELHI: U.S. Ambassador-designate Sergio Gor said he met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discussed bilateral issues which included trade, defense, and technology. Gor said he and Modi, in their first meeting in India, also discussed the importance of critical minerals to both the U.S. and India, emphasizing that collaboration in this sector could strengthen strategic and economic ties.
U.S. President Donald Trump has imposed a 50% tariff on most exports from India, among the highest for any U.S. trading partner. The move impacts about $50 billion of Indian exports to the U.S., mainly affecting labor-intensive sectors such as textiles, gems and jewelry, and the shrimp industry. Observers say the tariffs were raised from 25% in response to India’s continued imports of Russian oil, adding tension to the trade relationship.
“President Trump considers Prime Minister Modi a great and personal friend,” Gor said, speaking at the U.S. Embassy in Delhi in his first address in India.
He also referenced the “incredible” phone call that Trump and Modi had prior to his visit, noting that both leaders “reviewed good progress achieved in trade negotiations” and agreed to stay in close touch over the coming weeks.
“Glad to receive Mr. Sergio Gor, Ambassador-designate of the US to India. I’m confident that his tenure will further strengthen the India–US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership,” Prime Minister Modi said in a post on X.
Gor, who was confirmed last week by the U.S. Senate as Ambassador to India and Special Envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs, also met India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. The ambassador-designate has not formally assumed his post and is on a visit to India from October 9 to October 14, where he is holding high-level consultations with Indian officials.
US Ambassador-designate Gor described his visit as “an honor and a privilege,” adding that discussions spanned defense cooperation, trade, technology, and the strategic importance of critical minerals. “The U.S. values its relationship with India, and under the strong leadership of President Donald J. Trump and Prime Minister Modi, I’m optimistic about the days ahead for both of our nations,” he said.
Gor emphasized that the U.S.–India partnership continues to grow despite trade frictions, and highlighted areas of mutual interest including technology collaboration, defense modernization, and resource security. The ambassador-designate stressed that cooperation on critical minerals, in particular, represents a long-term strategic opportunity for both nations amid global competition for supply chains and energy resources.
Observers note that Gor’s meetings reflect a continued commitment by the U.S. to strengthen the Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership with India, signaling a focus on balancing trade challenges with broader diplomatic and defense cooperation. “The U.S. is committed to a strong partnership with India, and we look forward to working closely on issues that advance both nations’ security, economic, and technological interests,” Gor said.
-Dr. M Shahid Siddiqui | WNN I Follow via X @shahidsiddiqui
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