New Delhi, August 23, 2025 : Former US President Donald Trump has nominated his longtime aide, 38-year-old Sergio Gor, as the next United States Ambassador to India, amid strained ties over trade and tariff issues. Gor, currently director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office, was described by Trump as a “great friend, who has been at my side for many years.” Alongside his ambassadorial role, Gor will serve as a special envoy for South and Central Asian affairs.

Top US officials quickly endorsed the nomination. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called Gor an “excellent representative of America in one of the most important relationships our nation has in the world,” while Vice President JD Vance tweeted that Gor “will make a fantastic ambassador for our country to India.” US Deputy Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby added, “It will be superb to have President Trump’s wise and trusted counselor Sergio Gor in this key role.”

Gor succeeds Eric Garcetti, who served as ambassador from May 2023 to January 2025. Notably, Trump announced the India posting later than ambassadorial appointments to several other major nations. Experts suggest that Gor’s nomination is less about his India expertise and more about signaling a direct line to the president. According to a source cited by Politico, “The president is sending a powerful signal to the Modi government by sending an envoy that is very personally close to him… all messages come from the president.”

Bloomberg noted that Gor’s lack of India experience is not unusual; ambassadorial posts are frequently given to political allies, supporters, or close associates. Former White House strategist Steve Bannon welcomed the appointment, emphasizing Gor’s unique access to Trump, saying, “If I’m Modi in India, I couldn’t think of a better pick. He may not have a deep knowledge of Indian policy, but he’s a quick study and has the president’s full trust.”

Sergio Gor was born in Uzbekistan during the Soviet era, later moving to Malta before pursuing higher education in the United States. He became active in Republican Party politics, holding positions with Senator Rand Paul and later working closely with Trump as a fundraiser and book publisher. Trump praised Gor’s work at the White House, noting that 95% of presidential personnel positions have been filled under his direction.

The nomination comes amid rising tensions between the US and India. Trump had threatened unprecedented 50% tariffs on Indian goods and criticized India for continuing oil purchases from Russia during the Ukraine war. Despite the strains, the strategic, defense, commercial, technological, and political relations between the two nations remain robust, providing strong incentives for dialogue and repair.

Bilateral trade between India and the US exceeds $190 billion annually, underscoring the economic significance of the ambassadorial role. Gor’s close ties to Trump and access to the president are expected to make him a critical figure in navigating ongoing trade negotiations and broader US-India relations.