US Ambassador-designate to India Sergio Gor on Saturday met External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in New Delhi—the second day of his visit to the country.
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This comes days after his appointment to the post was confirmed by the Senate, as the India-US relationship undergoes strain due to US President Donald Trump's 50 per cent tariffs, as well as the revision of the H-1B visa fee to $100,000.
"Discussed the India-US relationship and its global significance," Jaishankar wrote in a post on X after the meeting, congratulating Gor on his appointment.
Pleased to meet Ambassador-designate Sergio Gor of the US today in New Delhi.
Discussed the India-US relationship and its global significance.
Wish him the best for his new responsibility. @USAmbIndia
🇮🇳🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/cBMiYeRSVV
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) October 11, 2025
Gor was accompanied by the Deputy Secretary for Management and Resources, Michael J. Rigas, for his six-day visit to India "from October 9 to October 14" (US time).
A statement from India's Ministry of External Affairs said that the Saturday meeting was a "productive exchange on the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership and its shared priorities".
New Delhi and Washington are looking to strengthen strategic and trade ties, as the India-US trade deal remains in the works. Technology and defence are other key sectors that the two nations are looking to cooperate on.
At the same time, India is likely to remain cautious too, as the attempts to thaw India-US ties come amid the imposition of 100 per cent tariffs on China—on top of the baseline rate of 30 per cent—from November 1.
Seen as a punitive move in response to China's rare earth export restrictions, a think-tank report has warned that "no deal with the US is ever final".
The Global Trade Research Institute (GTRI) report, titled 'Trump’s tariff offensive hits a rare earth wall', also suggests that instead of depending on “shifting US promises”, New Delhi should prioritise self-reliance in critical technologies and minerals, shielding its economy from future trade shocks.
Meetings with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lie ahead for Gor, as well as other officials from various ministries and top business leaders. |
