Will Sergio Gor improve or further aggravate India-US relations?

This is a big question not only in India but also in the US itself and perhaps everywhere among think tankers and diplomats from Tokyo to Paris and London.

- AMBASSADOR ASHOK SAJJANHAR (RETD)

Taking to his Truth Social platform on 22nd August, US President Donald Trump announced the nomination of his new Ambassador Sergio Gor to India. Trump declared that in addition to his responsibilities as the US Ambassador to India, Gor will also be “Special Envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs.” Commending Gor, Trump wrote that “As Director of Presidential Personnel, Sergio and his team have hired nearly 4,000 America First Patriots across every Department of our Federal Government in RECORD time — Our Departments and Agencies are over 95% filled!”

Describing Gor as “a great friend” Trump said that he “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.” And that, “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. Sergio will make an incredible Ambassador.”

Three aspects stand out vividly in Trump’s announcement. Firstly, this nomination came more than 7 months after Trump was sworn in as President of USA. Ambassadors to several other countries, especially all the important ones like China, France, Japan, the UK etc. have already been nominated and several have already assumed office after receiving confirmation from the US Senate.

Secondly, the nomination has come when relations between India and the US are the worst since the last 25 years when ties started improving after the warm welcome accorded to President Bill Clinton in India in March, 2000. Reasons for this downward trend in ties are several.

INDIA DENIES TRUMP ROLE IN THE RECENT CEASEFIRE