Amid new momentum between India and the United States for the negotiations of a trade deal, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with Washington’s newly appointed envoy-designate, Sergio Gor, in New Delhi on Saturday. Gor, who recently received Senate confirmation as the next US ambassador to India, arrived in the capital with Deputy Secretary for Management and Resources Michael J Rigas for a six-day visit. “Pleased to meet Ambassador-designate Sergio Gor of the US today in New Delhi. Discussed the India-US relationship and its global significance,” Jaishankar posted on social media, adding, “Wish him the best for his new responsibility.” Pleased to meet Ambassador-designate Sergio Gor of the US today in New Delhi. Discussed the India-US relationship and its global significance. Wish him the best for his new responsibility. @USAmbIndia 🇮🇳🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/cBMiYeRSVV — Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) October 11, 2025 Gor also held talks with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. The two “had a productive exchange on the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership and its shared priorities,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on X, noting that Misri wished Gor success in his assignment. The diplomatic engagement comes at a sensitive moment, as New Delhi and Washington navigate one of their sharpest trade disputes in years. The Trump administration raised tariffs on Indian goods to 50 per cent, including a 25 per cent levy for crude oil purchased from Russia — a move India has called “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable.” Even so, recent phone calls between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Trump have revived hopes that both sides could soon reach a compromise on a long-pending trade deal. Negotiations resumed last week after a brief pause. Gor, a longtime member of Trump’s inner circle and former White House personnel director, was nominated in August to serve as ambassador and special envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs. Following his confirmation, Gor said he was “beyond grateful” to President Trump for showing “incredible trust and confidence” in selecting him for the role. Gor, 38, was among 107 nominees confirmed by the Senate in a single en bloc vote Wednesday, with 51 senators voting in favour and 47 against. According to US officials, Gor will not present his credentials during this trip to New Delhi. (With Inputs from PTI)
