WASHINGTON– Sergio Gor, President Donald Trump’s nominee to serve as U.S. Ambassador to India, told lawmakers during his Senate confirmation hearing that Washington and New Delhi are nearing a trade agreement, with an Indian delegation set to visit the U.S. next week.
“We’re actively negotiating with the Indians right now,” Gor said. “In fact, the President has invited their commerce and trade ministers to come visit us next week, and he’ll be meeting with Ambassador Greer here in Washington. Part of that will include a hopeful deal. We’re not that far apart right now — in fact, they’re negotiating the nitty-gritty.”
Gor emphasized that both sides are working to finalize the terms and expressed optimism that a deal could be announced soon.
Beyond trade, Gor reiterated Washington’s strong commitment to the Quad, a strategic grouping of the U.S., India, Japan, and Australia. He called the alliance “vitally important” and suggested that President Trump may travel to India later this year to attend the Quad leaders’ summit.
“The president is fully committed to continuing to meet with the Quad and strengthening it,” Gor said. “In fact, there’s already been talk of a trip for the next Quad meeting.” He noted that Secretary of State Marco Rubio held his first major diplomatic engagement with Quad foreign ministers just an hour after being sworn in.
On India-China relations, Gor argued that India shares far more in common with the United States than with Beijing. “Just five years ago, they were in open conflict,” he said. “Frankly, they are concerned by Chinese expansionism, and Chinese expansionism is not just on the border of India; it’s all over the area. And we share a lot in common, and then we share a lot of the same concerns that other nations in the region do. We will make that a top priority.”
He also credited India for playing a balancing role within BRICS, particularly when it comes to resisting efforts from China and others to move away from the U.S. dollar. “India has been the stopgap for that,” Gor said. “India is much more willing and open to engage with us than with some of those other individuals that are in BRICS.”
The Senate is expected to vote on Gor’s nomination in the coming weeks. (Source: IANS)
