Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday held a high-level meeting with Sergio Gor, the US Ambassador-designate to India, marking their first official interaction since Gor’s confirmation by the US Senate. The meeting, held in New Delhi, is seen as a significant step toward reinvigorating the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership amidst ongoing trade tensions.
Gor, on a six-day visit to India, described his meeting with PM Modi as “incredible”, noting that discussions spanned key areas such as defence cooperation, trade, advanced technology, and critical minerals. He also emphasised the strong personal rapport between President Donald Trump and PM Modi, revealing that the two leaders had a “remarkable” phone call just before he departed for India.
“President Trump considers Prime Minister Modi a great and personal friend,” Gor told reporters, expressing optimism about the trajectory of bilateral ties. PM Modi, sharing a moment from the meeting on social media platform X, posted a photograph with Gor holding a framed image of the Prime Minister with President Trump, taken during their joint press conference at the White House earlier this year. The photo includes a handwritten message from Trump: “Mr Prime Minister, You are great!” “Glad to receive Mr Sergio Gor, Ambassador-designate of the US to India. I’m confident that his tenure will further strengthen the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership,” Modi wrote.
Gor also met with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri earlier in the day. He was accompanied by Michael J Rigas, the US Deputy Secretary for Management and Resources. EAM Jaishankar termed his interaction with Gor as “productive”, stating that they discussed the global relevance of the India-US partnership.
Despite friction over recent US-imposed tariffs on Indian exports - including 50 per cent levies and additional duties on Russian crude imports - both sides appear keen to reset the tone. The Modi-Trump phone conversation and Gor’s diplomatic outreach are being interpreted as efforts to rekindle positive momentum in trade negotiations.
During his Senate confirmation, Gor had stressed the strategic importance of India, describing the friendship between Modi and Trump as a “unique strength” in furthering bilateral goals. He had said, “India is a strategic partner whose trajectory will shape the region and beyond.”
Gor is expected to formally present his credentials in the coming weeks, according to the US Embassy.
