New U.S. Ambassador Sergio Gor joins India Mission, expresses optimism on strengthening bilateral ties

Newly appointed United States Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, formally joined the U.S. Mission in New Delhi on Monday (January 12) and expressed strong optimism about further strengthening the U.S.-India partnership under President Donald Trump’s leadership.

In his arrival address, Ambassador Gor said he was honored to join the dedicated team in India and eager to work towards advancing President Trump’s priorities while taking bilateral relations between the two nations to the next level

“I couldn’t be more optimistic about the days ahead for both our nations under President Trump’s leadership,” Gor said. “It is great to be here as the United States Ambassador. I come to this remarkable nation with profound respect and with a clear mission to deepen the partnership between the world’s oldest democracy and the world’s largest democracy.”

Recalling his first visit to India in 2013, Gor said the country left a lasting impression on him. He mentioned visiting iconic destinations such as the Taj Mahal, Jaipur, Ranthambore, Punjab, and several other places across the country.

“The friendly people, vibrant colors, incredible history, innovation, and spirit I encountered during that visit over a decade ago left an indelible mark on me. I have always wanted to return, and what an incredible honor it is to be back as the next U.S. Ambassador to India,” he added.

Speaking about his appointment, Gor said he was thrilled when President Trump asked him to take up the diplomatic role. He also recalled a recent meeting with the President following the New Year, during which Trump fondly spoke about his visit to India and his close friendship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“I also hope the President will be visiting India again soon, hopefully in the next year or two,” Gor said.

Reflecting on his previous role as Director of the Office of Presidential Personnel following Trump’s 2024 election victory, Gor noted that he oversaw the appointment of thousands of officials across the U.S. federal government, including ambassadors and senior State Department officials.

“In our first year, we broke every record by filling over 95 percent of those positions. I once again thank President Trump for placing his trust in me for what is one of the most important relationships for both our nations,” he said.

Emphasizing the strength of U.S.-India relations, Gor said the bond between the two countries goes beyond shared interests and is anchored at the highest levels of leadership.

“I have traveled the world with President Trump, and I can attest that his friendship with Prime Minister Modi is genuine. Real friends may disagree, but they always resolve their differences,” he stated.

Referring to recent remarks by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Gor said 2026 would be a “year of reciprocity,” marked by fair trade, mutual respect, and shared security.

Concluding his address, Ambassador Gor thanked the people of India for their warm welcome and said his tenure would focus on pursuing an ambitious agenda aimed at strengthening the U.S.-India strategic partnership built on mutual respect, leadership, and shared goals.