Praising India as “one of the world’s oldest civilisations” and “the largest country in the world”, United States President Donald Trump presided over the swearing-in ceremony of Sergio Gor as the next U.S. Ambassador to India, underscoring the vital importance of the U.S.-India partnership

Mr. Trump said he was entrusting Mr. Gor to further strengthen strategic, economic, and security ties with New Delhi, while deepening America’s “fantastic relationship” with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Making remarks from the Oval Office, Mr. Trump said, “Today we are thrilled to be here for the swearing-in of our next Ambassador to India and special envoy to South and Central Asia, which is a big deal and Sergio will handle it better than anybody could handle it. I want to congratulate Sergio”

Present at the swearing-in ceremony were U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary Scott Bessent, Attorney General Pam Bondi and U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro, Erika Kirk and several senators.

In his remarks during the swearing-in ceremony of Sergio Gor, the U.S. President said, “I’m trusting Sergio to help strengthen our country’s one of the most important international relationships, and that is the strategic partnership with the Republic of India. It’s a big deal. India is a home to one of the world’s oldest civilisations, the largest country in the world and it has got over 1.5 billion people and we have a fantastic relationship with Prime Minister Modi and Sergio’s enhanced that because he’s become already friendly with Prime Minister. Knowing that Sergio is going to be the Ambassador, they would call constantly to say, ‘let’s get to know this man’ and they like what they see.”

“I know you’re gonna have a great success over there. It’s a very important relationship. It’s also the fastest-growing middle class and it’s an important economic and strategic security partner in the Indo-Pacific region. It’s an amazing country”.

“As the Ambassador, Sergio will work to fortify our country’s bond, promote investments in key US industries and technologies, increase American energy exports, and expand our security cooperation”, he further added.

After taking the oath, Mr. Gor thanked Mr. Trump for entrusting him with the responsibility of the relationship with India and said, “I look forward to enhancing the relationship between our two nations. I look forward to doing a great job for you”.

In August, Mr. Trump nominated Sergio Gor as India’s next Ambassador and Special Envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs.

During his testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in September, Gor had emphasised that India is “one of the most important relationships our nation (U.S.) has in the world.”

Ahead of his swearing-in, he had visited India in October and met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, EAM S. Jaishankar and NSA Ajit Doval.

President Donald Trump said on Friday (August 22, 2025) he would nominate Sergio Gor, one of his closest aides, to be the next U.S. ambassador to India, where he will oversee frosty relations that have worsened with the planned doubling of U.S. tariffs on India next week.

Mr. Gor, who is currently the director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office, would also serve as a special envoy for South and Central Asian affairs.

Mr. Trump said in a post on his Truth Social account that Mr. Gor would remain in his current position until he is confirmed for the India post by the U.S. Senate.

“Sergio is a great friend, who 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,” Mr. Trump said, lauding Mr. Gor’s work in hiring staff for his second term.

“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,” Mr. Trump wrote.

U.S.-India ties have been strained by Mr. Trump’s trade war, with talks on lower tariff rates collapsing after India, the world’s fifth-largest economy, resisted opening its vast agricultural and dairy sectors. Bilateral trade between the two countries is worth more than $190 billion.

Mr. Trump first imposed additional tariffs of 25% on imports from India, then said they would double to 50% from August 27 as punishment for New Delhi’s increased purchases of Russian oil. Trump has not imposed similar tariffs on China, the biggest purchaser of Russian oil.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Tuesday accused India of profiteering from its sharply increased purchases of Russian oil during the war in Ukraine and said Washington viewed the situation as unacceptable.