US President Donald Trump has nominated his close aide Sergio Gor as the next ambassador to India, at a time when ties between Washington and New Delhi are under strain due to Trump’s tough tariff stance on Indian goods.
Announcing the decision on social media, Trump described the 38-year-old as a “great friend, who has been at my side for many years.” He added, “I am pleased to announce that I am promoting Sergio Gor to be our next United States Ambassador to the Republic of India.” Trump further confirmed that Gor will also serve as a special envoy for South and Central Asian affairs.
Strong Backing from Top US Leaders
Several senior US officials welcomed Gor’s nomination. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called him an “excellent representative of America in one of the most important relationships our nation has in the world.”
Vice President JD Vance also endorsed the choice, saying Gor “will make a fantastic ambassador for our country to India.”
Elbridge Colby, US deputy secretary of defense for policy, noted, “It will be superb to have President Trump’s wise and trusted counselor Sergio Gor as our ambassador to India. The US-India relationship is tremendously important, and it will be critical to have someone so able and insightful in this key role.”
Gor is set to replace Eric Garcetti, who served as ambassador from May 2023 until January 2025. Notably, Trump announced his choice for India later than for many other major nations.
I am excited about the Presidents decisions to nominate @SergioGor to be our next Ambassador to India. He will be an excellent representative of America in one of the most important relationships our nation has in the world.
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) August 22, 2025
Why Trump Chose Sergio Gor
Although Gor has limited direct experience with India, this is not unusual for ambassadorial appointments. As Bloomberg pointed out, US presidents often nominate political allies, friends, or fundraisers to such posts. For example, former President Joe Biden selected former Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti, who was a co-chair of his campaign, to serve as ambassador to India.
According to Politico, Trump’s choice of Gor is less about bureaucratic reshuffling and more about sending a signal. A source familiar with the decision explained, “The president is sending a powerful signal to the Modi government by sending an envoy that is very personally close to him.”
The person added, “Sergio is a clear signal that the negotiations need to be serious and that all messages come from the president.”
This comes as the US and India remain at odds over trade. Trump has sharply criticized India for continuing to purchase oil from Russia despite Western sanctions, and in retaliation he raised tariffs on Indian goods to 50 percent. He even labeled India a “dead” economy with “obnoxious” trade barriers.
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A Complex But Vital Partnership
Despite current tensions, both nations share deep ties across defense, commerce, technology, and political cooperation. Analysts believe this shared foundation gives Washington and New Delhi strong reasons to rebuild trust.
Former White House strategist Steve Bannon also praised the nomination, saying Gor’s personal closeness to Trump could strengthen the partnership. “I believe Sergio is the only person outside of [chief of staff] Susie [Wiles] and a handful of others who actually has walk-in privileges to the president at any time, day or night,” Bannon remarked.
He acknowledged Gor’s lack of deep India expertise but argued, “This guy’s a quick study. He not just has access to the president but he has a unique trust. The president trusts this guy, that he’s dealing with him straight.”
Who is Sergio Gor?
Sergio Gor was born in Uzbekistan when it was part of the Soviet Union and later moved to Malta as a child. After studying in the United States, he became active in Republican politics, working with Senator Rand Paul before joining Trump’s team. Over the years, he has held roles as a fundraiser, book publisher, and even an amateur wedding DJ.
Within the Trump administration, Gor most recently served as director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office. Trump praised his leadership in filling 95 percent of government positions, noting that Gor will continue in this role until the Senate confirms his ambassadorship.
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India-US Trade at Stake
At the core of the strained relationship is trade. Bilateral trade between the US and India exceeds $190 billion annually. However, Trump’s decision to double tariffs on Indian exports, combined with India’s refusal to cut energy imports from Russia, has deepened the rift.
Even so, experts say both countries have strong strategic reasons to find common ground, given their shared interests in security, technology, and regional stability.
