Sergio Gor, a close aide of former US President Donald Trump, has been nominated to serve as the next United States ambassador to India, as announced by Trump on Friday. Gor, who currently heads the White House Presidential Personnel Office, will also take on the additional responsibility of Special Envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs, pending confirmation by the US Senate.
The announcement comes at a delicate moment in US-India relations, as Washington is set to double tariffs on Indian goods from 27th August. Bilateral ties have seen increasing strain in recent months, primarily due to trade disagreements and India’s rising energy imports from Russia. With annual trade between the two nations exceeding $190 billion, the development has drawn considerable attention in both capitals.
Trump, posting on his social media platform Truth Social, praised Gor’s longstanding association with him, saying, “Sergio is a great friend, who has been at my side for many years. He worked on my Historic Presidential Campaigns, published my Best Selling Books, and ran one of the biggest Super PACs, which supported our Movement.”
He added, “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.” Trump also confirmed that Gor would continue in his current role until the Senate approves his appointment.
Congratulations to @SergioGor on his appointment as U.S. Ambassador to India.
— Howard Lutnick (@howardlutnick) August 23, 2025
Throughout the campaign and administration, Sergio has been a fearless advocate for President Trump and the American people. We all wish him amazing success and India is in great hands. pic.twitter.com/uNy6uUu7CE
In response to the nomination, Gor took to X to express his gratitude. “It would be the honor of my life to represent the United States in the new role,” he stated.
The nomination comes amidst a backdrop of heightened trade tensions. Trump has previously imposed a 25% tariff on Indian imports, which he now plans to double, citing India’s increasing reliance on Russian oil as a key concern. Notably, similar tariff hikes have not been applied to China, despite it being the largest buyer of Russian oil.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently criticised India’s oil trade decisions, stating in an interview with CNBC, “profiteering” from the Ukraine conflict was “unacceptable.” He revealed that Russian oil currently makes up 42% of India’s total oil imports, a sharp rise from under 1% before the war. In comparison, China has increased its share only slightly, from 13% to 16%.
On the Indian side, Trade Minister Piyush Goyal has reiterated New Delhi’s commitment to a constructive dialogue. Speaking on Friday, he said India approaches its trade relationship with the US with “a very open mind” and emphasised that the partnership holds “consequential and important” value for both countries.
Meanwhile, a planned visit by US trade negotiators to New Delhi, originally scheduled from 25th to 29th August, was abruptly cancelled, further underscoring the uncertainty surrounding current diplomatic and economic engagements between the two democracies.
