Sergio Gor, President Donald Trump’s nominee for US Ambassador to India, underscored the “strategic importance” of New Delhi in testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday. Calling India “one of the most important relationships our nation has in the world,” Gor pledged to restore a “personal touch” to ties and deepen defense, trade, and technology cooperation. He stressed that India shares “far more in common with the US than with China,” and that closer collaboration was essential to counter Beijing’s expansionism.
KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM SERGIO GOR’S TESTIMONY
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ON US-INDIA TIES:
“India is one of the most important relationships our nation has in the world.”
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ON COUNTERING CHINA:
“India shares a lot more in common with the US than it does with China. My priority will be to pull India firmly to our side.”
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ON DIPLOMACY:
“For far too long we had not that personal touch. Not only will I bring that to New Delhi, but the President himself is engaged in this effort.”
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ON MODI-TRUMP TIES:
“Our president has a deep friendship with Prime Minister Modi. Even when he has been critical of India, he has gone out of his way to compliment Modi.”
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ON DEFENCE COOPERATION:
“This includes expanding joint military exercises, advancing co-development and co-production of defence systems and concluding critical defence sales.”
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ON TRADE:
“I will work towards President Trump’s ambitious goal, dubbed Mission 500, to double bilateral trade to USD 500 billion by 2030.”
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ON MARKET REFORMS:
“I will advocate for reforms that will make India’s markets more accessible and transparent.”
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ON TECHNOLOGY COOPERATION:
“US-India Trust Initiative lays out a path to outcompete China in AI, quantum, and semiconductors. I will advance this administration’s AI Action Plan.”
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ON ENERGY:
“If confirmed, I will work to increase American energy exports to India, establishing the United States as a leading supplier of oil and LNG.”
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ON REGIONAL STABILITY :
“India’s role in ensuring the stability and security of South Asia cannot be understated. The US-India partnership will define the 21st century.”
– Ends