Washington, Aug 23: Sergio Gor, White House personnel director and a close ally of President Donald Trump, has been nominated as the next US ambassador to India and special envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs.
Trump announced the nomination, emphasizing his trust in Gor to advance his agenda and “Make America Great Again.” At 38, Gor has played a significant role in Trump’s political campaigns and in vetting political appointees within the administration.
Gor’s nomination comes amid strained US-India trade relations. He is expected to continue in his current White House role until Senate confirmation. Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick praised the nomination, with Rubio calling Gor an “excellent representative” for a key US relationship.
Gor expressed gratitude for the nomination, calling it “the honor of my life” to represent the US. However, his appointment as special envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs drew criticism in India, where experts worry his role will influence regional dynamics, including US coordination on India-Pakistan relations. Former Indian foreign secretary Kanwal Sibal cautioned that this role could “hyphenate” India and Pakistan once again.
Gor’s close ties to Trump and involvement in key political campaigns have raised some controversy, including reports of tension with tech billionaire Elon Musk. The next step is Senate confirmation. (PTI)
