Modi, Jaishankar Meet Sergio Gor as US Ambassador-to-Be Visits India For Six Days
New Delhi: Prime minister Narendra Modi met US ambassador-designate Sergio Gor in New Delhi today (October 11), as the two sides continue to search for a trade deal which will bring down the high tariffs imposed on Indian exports.
Modi noted in his X post after the meeting that he was confident that Gor’s time in India would strengthen the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.
Gor was confirmed by the Senate earlier this week as US ambassador and Special envoy for South and Central Asia, as part of a bloc of 107 nominees on October 8.
Unusually, Gor, who is accompanied by Deputy Secretary for Management and Resources Michael J. Rigas, is only on a six-day visit to India. He is not here to take charge or present his credentials to the Indian government, which will take place at a future date.
Gor handed the prime minister a photograph of Modi and Trump which was signed by the US president with the words, “Mr PM, you are great”. It is unusual for a prime minister to meet with a foreign ambassador-designate.
Later after his meeting with the PM, Gor said in a statement that the discussion covered defence, trade and technology. “We also discussed the importance of critical minerals and the importance of that to both of our nations,” he said.
He stated that President Donald Trump “considers Prime Minister Modi a great and personal friend” and stated that they had a recent “incredible phone call”
“And that is something that will continue over the weeks and months ahead. It's an honour to serve as President Donald Trump's ambassador to India. I look forward to this very important relationship and continuing to grow and deepen the relationship between our two nations,” he said.
Earlier, Jaishankar said on X that he discussed “the India-U.S. relationship and its global significance” with Gor. “Wish him the best for his new responsibility,” he added.
The US envoy-designate had also met with National Security Council Adviser Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. “They had a productive exchange on the India-U.S. Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership and its shared priorities. FS wished Amb-designate Gor all success for his assignment,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal wrote on X.
There were no other details about either meeting.
Bilateral ties have come under strain in recent months after President Donald Trump doubled tariffs on Indian goods to 50%, with an additional 25% duty imposed in response to India’s continued imports of Russian crude. New Delhi described the move as “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable.”
Even as the tariff dispute lingers, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent overtures to Trump appear aimed at rebuilding goodwill. Over the past ten days, Modi has repeatedly and publicly praised Trump’s Gaza peace plan, describing it as a “viable pathway” to lasting peace in West Asia.
On Thursday, Modi endorsed the plan four times in a single day, beginning with a tweet after Israel and Hamas approved its first phase and ending with a congratulatory phone call to Trump. In his post, Modi said the plan reflected “the strong leadership of Prime Minister Netanyahu” and hoped it would bring “respite” to the people of Gaza.
At his Senate nomination hearing last month, Gor had set a tough tone on India’s energy ties with Moscow, telling lawmakers that persuading New Delhi to halt purchases of Russian crude was a “top priority” for the administration. He said, “Getting India to stop buying Russian oil is a top priority for this administration,” stressing that President Trump “has been crystal clear on this.”
Gor, 38, who has served as the White House personnel director and is considered close to Trump, was introduced at the hearing by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who described India as “one of the top relationships the United States has in the world today.” Rubio said Gor’s proximity to Trump gave him “direct access to the Oval Office,” making him “uniquely suited” for the role.
Note: This report has been updated since publication to include the fact that Gor met Modi.
This article went live on October eleventh, two thousand twenty five, at thirty-four minutes past seven in the evening.The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.
