New Delhi: US ambassador-designate to India Sergio Gor said that he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discussed bilateral issues which included trade, defense and technology.
The importance of critical minerals was also discussed during the meeting – his first with the PM in India – Gor said.
Gor has not taken charge as Ambassador yet and is on a visit to India from October 9 to October 14 during which he will meet Indian officials.
His appointment comes at a time when US president Donald Trump has imposed a 50% tariff on most exports from India. This is among the highest for any US trading partner. The move impacts about $50 billion of Indian exports to the US, mainly hurting labour-intensive sectors such as textiles, gems and jewellery and the shrimp industry.
“President Trump considers Prime Minister Modi a great and personal friend”, Gor said, speaking at the US Embassy in Delhi in his first address in India.
PM Modi had also acknowledged his meeting with the US ambassador-designate. “Glad to receive Mr. Sergio Gor, Ambassador-designate of the US to India. I’m confident that his tenure will further strengthen the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership”, he posted on X.
The US senate has confirmed Gor’s appointment as ambassador and special envoy for south and central Asian affairs. He said that he met India’s foreign minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and national security advisor Ajit Doval.
He also referred to the “incredible” phone call that Trump and Modi had before he left for India.
Modi said he spoke to Trump last week, adding that they “reviewed good progress achieved in trade negotiations” and agreed to stay in close touch over the coming weeks.
