Trump Nominates Sergio Gor as U.S. Ambassador to India
U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday said he will nominate Sergio Gor, one of his closest aides, to serve as the next U.S. ambassador to India, amid growing tensions over trade and energy policy.
Gor, who currently leads the White House Presidential Personnel Office, is also set to take on the role of special envoy for South and Central Asian affairs, Trump said.
Trump made the announcement on his Truth Social account, stating that Gor would continue in his current position until confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
“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,” Trump wrote, praising Gor’s role in preparing for a second Trump administration.
“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,” he added.
Gor’s nomination comes just days before a planned increase in tariffs on Indian goods, set to double to 50% on August 27. Trump has linked the tariff hike to India’s rising imports of Russian oil.
Gor responded to the nomination on X, formerly Twitter, writing:
“The honor of my life.”
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent this week criticized India’s energy policy, accusing it of “profiteering” from discounted Russian oil during the war in Ukraine. Bessent said Russia now accounts for 42% of India’s oil imports, up from less than 1% before the conflict, while China’s share rose to 16% from 13%.
Despite strained relations, Indian Trade Minister Piyush Goyal said Friday that New Delhi is engaging with Washington on trade with a “very open mind,” and emphasized the importance of the bilateral relationship.
Trump’s announcement followed the unexpected cancellation of a U.S. trade delegation’s planned visit to India, originally scheduled for August 25–29.
Annual U.S.-India trade exceeds $190 billion.
