(Image source from: REUTERS)
On Friday, President Donald Trump selected his close political advisor Sergio Gor to be the US ambassador to India, placing a trusted ally in a sensitive moment in relations with New Delhi. At just 38, Gor has quickly climbed the ranks in conservative politics, becoming one of the most influential yet less visible aides in the White House, responsible for screening around 4,000 nominees to make sure they are entirely loyal to Trump. Notably, Gor has enemies, including Elon Musk, who called Gor a "snake" after he blocked Musk’s preferred candidate to head NASA following their major split. Although Gor's experience in foreign affairs is limited, aside from accompanying Trump on trips abroad and overseeing a removal of National Security Council employees whose opinions were questioned, he remains an influential figure. Trump expressed on his Truth Social platform, “For the most populated region in the world, it is crucial that I have someone I can completely trust to carry out my agenda and help us, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN.” He added, “Sergio will be an amazing Ambassador.”
Trump also mentioned that Gor would serve as a special envoy for South and Central Asia. Instead of relying on traditional diplomats, Trump has favored friends for diplomatic duties, and the high-ranking position for South Asia at the State Department remains unfilled. This nomination comes amidst rising tensions with India, which the US has considered a key partner since the 1990s. Trump has sought to increase tariffs on India to pressure it regarding its energy purchases from Russia, despite his own diplomatic interactions with Vladimir Putin. In recent days, India has been engaged in high-level discussions with both Russia and China. Previous US administrations have seen India as a counterbalance to China, regarded as America’s main global rival. Trump has mentioned facilitating dialogue between India and Pakistan after a ceasefire was reached in a short conflict in May, although India has been reluctant to accept a direct American involvement.
Gor was born in Uzbekistan while it was still part of the Soviet Union, a detail he has kept private, before relocating to Malta as a child. After studying in the United States, he became involved in Republican politics, eventually holding important roles with Senator Rand Paul, a notable Republican opponent of foreign interference, and later working as a fundraiser and book publisher for Trump—he even dabbled as a wedding DJ. In his message, Trump praised Gor's efforts as the director of presidential personnel, noting that 95 percent of the roles have been filled and that Gor will continue in his position until the Republican-controlled Senate approves his ambassador appointment.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio quickly showed his support for Gor on X, stating that he would be a "great representative of America in one of the most significant relationships our country has globally." Trump appointed an ambassador to India later than he did for many other major nations. While it is common for presidents to choose political aides as ambassadors—like how former president Joe Biden selected his former White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel for Tokyo—India has a rich tradition of having public intellectuals serve as ambassadors. Notable US ambassadors to India have included well-known economist John Kenneth Galbraith and social scientist and future senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan. Biden's ambassador to India was Eric Garcetti, who previously served as the mayor of Los Angeles and was recognized for his interest in Indian philosophy, having also studied Hindi and Urdu in his youth.
