Amid lingering trade tensions and high tariffs, US ambassador-designate to India Sergio Gor has emphasized the critical importance of India as a strategic partner for the United States, highlighting the “very real” friendship between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former US President Donald Trump. Gor assumed office as the United States ambassador to India on Monday and is scheduled to present his credentials to President Droupadi Murmu later this week.

In his first public address since taking charge, Gor outlined his priorities for advancing bilateral relations, with a particular focus on trade, strategic collaboration, and global supply chain cooperation. “No partner more essential than India,” Gor said, underlining the United States’ commitment to deepening engagement with New Delhi across multiple sectors. He also confirmed that both countries are actively pursuing negotiations on a bilateral trade agreement and that the US intends to invite India next month to join Pax Silica, the flagship US initiative aimed at building a secure and resilient global supply chain for semiconductors, AI technology, and critical minerals.

Gor’s Arrival and Credentials

Sergio Gor, a close aide of Donald Trump and former head of personnel appointments at the White House, arrived in New Delhi in October 2025 and succeeds Eric Garcetti as the US ambassador. Speaking to the press, Gor described India as a “remarkable nation” and framed his mission as taking the US-India partnership to the next level. He characterized the relationship as “the intersection of the world’s oldest democracy and the world’s largest democracy,” emphasizing both the historical and strategic significance of the alliance.

Gor’s remarks come at a time when US-India trade relations have been under strain. In the past year, bilateral ties hit a low after the Trump administration imposed tariffs of up to 50 percent on Indian exports, including a 25 percent levy targeting India’s purchase of Russian oil. The measures, framed as punitive, drew sharp criticism from Indian policymakers and business leaders.

The Trump Connection

In public statements last week, Donald Trump spoke positively about his relationship with Prime Minister Modi, referring to him as “a good guy” who understood the importance of keeping Trump satisfied. “Modi is a good guy. He knew I was not happy, and it was important to make me happy,” Trump said aboard Air Force One.

However, the US president simultaneously signaled readiness to escalate trade pressure. He indicated that tariffs could rise dramatically in response to India’s continued engagement with Russia, especially in the energy sector. A Russia sanctions bill, reportedly greenlit by Trump, would authorize tariffs of up to 500 percent on Russian-origin petroleum, uranium, and goods from countries trading with Russia. India, as a major purchaser of Russian oil, could be affected under this framework, though the bill has not yet passed.

The current US tariff on Indian exports stands at 50 percent, up from the initial 25 percent. These tariffs were framed as a response to India’s purchase of Russian oil, which Trump characterized as “fueling the war in Ukraine.” Gor, however, sought to separate the personal diplomacy between leaders from trade friction, highlighting that the Trump-Modi rapport forms a foundation for constructive engagement on multiple fronts.

Strategic and Economic Priorities

During his address, Gor emphasized that his mission extends beyond trade to a broader strategic agenda. Areas highlighted for cooperation include technology, innovation, defense, energy, and education, as well as counter-terrorism and regional security. The inclusion of India in Pax Silica represents a key component of this agenda, aimed at diversifying and securing supply chains for semiconductors, AI, and critical minerals.

Pax Silica, launched in December 2025, seeks to build an innovation-driven, resilient supply chain among participating countries. Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom are already members, and India’s inclusion is expected to further cement its strategic and technological partnership with the United States.

Gor also hinted at the potential for a visit by Donald Trump to India, though he did not provide a definitive timeline. People familiar with planning around the visit have suggested that its success may be tied to the completion of the bilateral trade deal and progress on broader strategic initiatives, including India’s integration into Pax Silica and cooperation on technology and defense.

Navigating Trade Tensions

Despite the positive personal rapport, economic tensions remain a major challenge. The Trump administration has consistently pressed India to lower tariffs and open its agricultural and dairy sectors to US exports. Previous rounds of negotiation throughout 2025 failed to yield a conclusive agreement, partly due to India’s red lines on these sectors.

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick recently sparked controversy in New Delhi by suggesting that a trade deal could not be finalized in 2025 because Prime Minister Modi had not contacted Trump, a claim firmly rejected by the Indian government. In this context, Gor’s arrival and his emphasis on personal diplomacy aim to reset the tone of engagement, signaling a willingness to pursue a “very ambitious agenda” while respecting India’s sovereignty and policy priorities.

Bilateral Cooperation Beyond Trade

While trade remains a priority, Gor stressed that the US-India relationship is multidimensional. Collaboration spans defense, security, energy, technology, and education, alongside cultural and people-to-people ties. He also highlighted that both countries share a commitment to global stability and innovation, underlining India’s growing role as a critical strategic and technological partner.

By framing India as an “essential partner” and emphasizing the personal friendship between Modi and Trump, Gor is seeking to balance diplomacy with firmness on trade issues. His comments suggest a dual approach: maintaining strong bilateral relations while continuing to pursue US economic and strategic interests.

Looking Ahead

Sergio Gor’s tenure as US ambassador to India is expected to focus on resetting bilateral relations and navigating the complex trade and tariff landscape. His public acknowledgment of the Trump-Modi friendship aims to reinforce trust at the leadership level, even as negotiations on tariffs and trade reform continue.

The ambassador-designate also confirmed ongoing trade discussions, with the next formal call between the two countries scheduled imminently. With India’s strategic importance in South Asia and its role in global technology and energy supply chains, Gor’s statements signal that the United States intends to re-engage constructively, leveraging personal diplomacy alongside formal mechanisms such as Pax Silica and trade negotiations.

In summary, while India faces trade pressures and the possibility of escalating tariffs under the Russia sanctions framework, Gor emphasized that strong bilateral ties and strategic partnership remain central to US foreign policy in the region. The personal rapport between Modi and Trump serves as a cornerstone for this engagement, balancing the realities of trade disputes with the broader objectives of security, technology collaboration, and global supply chain resilience.