In a significant affirmation of bilateral ties, the incoming United States ambassador-designate to India, Sergio Gor, declared on Monday that no nation holds greater strategic importance for Washington than India. He revealed that both governments are actively engaged in finalising a substantial trade agreement, a long-pending goal between the two democracies.
A Friendship That Overcomes Differences
Addressing his arrival at the US Embassy in New Delhi, Gor invoked the personal rapport between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump. He emphasised that genuine friendships can withstand disagreements. "Real friends can disagree but always resolve their differences in the end," Gor stated, framing the current negotiations within this context of enduring partnership.
Navigating the Final Hurdles of a Trade Pact
Gor confirmed that officials from both nations are scheduled to hold a detailed discussion on the specifics of the proposed trade pact during a call on Tuesday. While India was seen as a frontrunner for a deal last year, several contentious issues remain unresolved. "India is the world's largest nation. So it's not an easy task to get this across the finish line, but we are determined to get there," he acknowledged.
The ambassador-designate outlined a broad vision for cooperation extending beyond commerce. "And while trade is very important for our relationship, we will continue to work closely together on other very important areas such as security, counter-terrorism, energy, technology, education, and health," he added.
Context of Strained Ties and New Alliances
Gor's optimistic comments come amidst a perceptible cooling in diplomatic relations during Trump's second term. Notably, the US recently imposed steep 50% tariffs on certain Indian goods, partly in response to India's continued purchases of Russian oil. Furthermore, India remains one of the few major economies without a formal trade agreement with the US.
Additional strains include President Trump's repeated claims about his role in de-escalating India-Pakistan border tensions last May, which Indian officials have disputed. New Delhi is also reportedly displeased with remarks from US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick suggesting the trade deal stalled because Prime Minister Modi did not personally call President Trump to conclude terms.
India Joins the 'Pax Silica' Alliance
In a major strategic announcement, Gor revealed that India will be invited to join the 'Pax Silica' alliance as a full member next month. This US-led coalition, which includes Japan, the UK, South Korea, and Israel, aims to build a secure and innovative global semiconductor supply chain. This move aligns with the Trump administration's focus on securing critical technology sectors and using chip export permits as diplomatic leverage.
Sergio Gor, a close confidant of President Trump who previously ran the White House Presidential Personnel Office, now takes the helm of US-India relations. He replaces former Ambassador Eric Garcetti. Gor concluded by personally vouching for the bond between the two leaders, stating, "I have travelled all over the world with President Trump, and I can attest that his friendship with Prime Minister Modi is real."
