Donald Trump Nominates Sergio Gor As US Ambassador To India

US President Donald Trump announced on August 22 that he would nominate Sergio Gor, a long-time aide and trusted political ally, to serve as the next US ambassador to India. The appointment comes at a time of growing strain in US-India relations.

Gor, currently serving as the director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office, will also take on the role of special envoy for South and Central Asian affairs if confirmed by the US Senate. Trump stated that Gor would continue in his current position until the confirmation process is complete. “Sergio is a great friend who has been by my side for many years,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, highlighting Gor’s involvement in his presidential campaigns, book publishing ventures, and leadership of a major pro-Trump Super PAC. “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,” he added.

The nomination comes against the backdrop of worsening trade relations between Washington and New Delhi. Trump has announced that US tariffs on Indian imports will rise from 25% to 50% starting August 27, citing India’s increased purchases of Russian oil as the reason. He has not imposed similar penalties on China, despite it being the largest buyer of Russian oil. The US and India share more than $190 billion in annual bilateral trade, but tensions have escalated during Trump’s renewed push for trade leverage.