September 1, 2025

Sergio Gor, a close friend and ally of former US President Donald Trump, is stepping into a hot seat as the next US Ambassador to India. Trump proudly called him a "great friend" he could "fully trust" to push his agenda. But Gor’s job is not just about India – he will also look after US relations with other South and Central Asian countries, including Pakistan. At 38, Gor is no ordinary diplomat. He has been a key figure in Trump's inner circle, helping raise millions for the 2024 campaign and staffing Washington with reliable Trump loyalists. Gor even co-founded a publishing company with Donald Trump Jr., releasing books authored by Trump himself. His appointment makes waves in India. Some see Gor as a positive link to Trump’s world that could strengthen India-US ties. Others are worried because handling South Asia plus Central Asia — especially sharing responsibilities with Pakistan, India’s rival — could cause friction. Alyssa Ayres of the Council on Foreign Relations warned, "India typically prefers not to be 'hyphenated' with Pakistan," making this a delicate mix. Lawrence Haas, a former senior White House official, thinks India might feel "slighted and insulted" thinking the ambassador's role was not important enough for full-time focus. This reminds many of 2009 when India pushed back against a similar US envoy idea involving Pakistan and Afghanistan. Trump’s style is different from previous leaders. Unlike Obama, who acted carefully, Trump openly claimed credit for helping end a recent India-Pakistan conflict — a claim India denied completely. Moreover, Trump’s tariffs have hit India hard, with a steep 50% tax on Indian goods and tough trade demands, especially on dairy and farming sectors India wants to protect. Will Gor smooth these troubles or act stricter? Experts are divided. Bill Drexel from the Hudson Institute sees Gor's close ties to Trump as a big asset. He says, "But there may be a steep learning curve given his limited diplomatic and regional experience." Alyssa Ayres agrees, hoping Gor’s closeness to Trump can break policy logjams. Meanwhile, Haas fears Gor’s lack of experience will worsen ties and believes Delhi will see this move as a "slap in the face." Gor's background is colorful and surprising. Born in 1986 in Uzbekistan during Soviet times, he spent much of his childhood in Malta before moving to the US at 12. Starting politics young, Gor worked many Republican campaigns with a quirky side – once donning a squirrel costume to highlight Obama ties to a controversial organization. From Fox News stints to Trump’s fundraiser, he climbed up quickly. Known for vetting loyalists for Trump, Elon Musk once called Gor a "snake" over security clearance papers, but White House insisted everything was fine. Gor also gets along famously with the Trump family, including Ivanka and Jared Kushner. With India-US relations at a tricky crossroads, Sergio Gor's arrival in New Delhi adds both hope and spicy uncertainty. Will he be the deal breaker or trouble starter? Only time will tell as the drama in Washington and Delhi unfolds!

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Tags: Sergio gor, Donald trump, Us ambassador to india, India-us relations, South asia, Tariffs,