August 25, 2025

In a thoughtful move seven months after taking office, President Donald Trump announced the promotion of his close aide, Sergio Gor, to be the next US ambassador to India. This decision, still waiting for Senate approval, is a bright sign for India. It hints that the US wants to boost its relationship with India even though things seem to be slipping. With Gor tightly linked to Trump’s inner circle, experts expect frank talks on sticky issues like trade, Trump's Pakistan policies, immigration, and India’s ties with Russia. Excitingly, this step raises hopes that Trump might visit India for the Quad summit in November. But the relationship has been rocky lately, especially with the threat of higher US tariffs on Indian goods. However, there is something stirring worry in the background. Trump has decided that Gor will also be a special envoy for South and Central Asia. This double role is rare and makes some nervous. People wonder if the US could try to overstep and get too involved in the tricky India-Pakistan matters. India's reaction to this announcement has been careful and quiet. Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, when asked at an Economic Times event, just said he had read about it and did not offer a comment. Officials are waiting and watching to understand what Gor’s complete role will be before saying anything. The caution comes from past US ideas that India and Pakistan are equal sides in conflict, which India strongly disagrees with. India sees Pakistan as the aggressor, especially after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and India’s retaliatory Op Sindoor in May. Trump has often said he helped bring a “ceasefire” between India and Pakistan. But Prime Minister Modi told Trump on June 17 that no trade deal or mediation was discussed while stopping the fighting. Jaishankar also said the peace was worked out directly between India and Pakistan, especially after serious hits to Pakistani airfields. India firmly opposes any US role in the Kashmir issue. History shows India rejecting US attempts to mediate here, like in 2009 when India stopped the Obama administration from involving envoy Richard Holbrooke in Afghan-Pakistan matters including Kashmir. Now, Trump’s offer to mediate more strongly means India will be alert to any US plans using Gor’s appointment to interfere. As Jaishankar stressed, India has had a 50-year national consensus that it will not accept mediation over India-Pakistan issues. This story is still unfolding, but one thing is clear—India wants these matters handled directly with Pakistan, no outsiders allowed.

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Tags: Sergio gor, Us ambassador, India-us relations, Trump visit india, India pakistan issues, Trade tariffs,