NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday met US Ambassador-designate Sergio Gor in New Delhi, marking the primary high-level interplay between the 2 since Gor's Senate affirmation as the subsequent American envoy to India. The assembly comes amid ongoing commerce tensions and hopes for renewed momentum within the India-US Complete International Strategic Partnership.Talking to reporters after the assembly, Sergio Gor mentioned, “I had an unimaginable assembly with Prime Minister Modi. We mentioned bilateral points, together with defence, commerce and know-how. We additionally mentioned the significance of crucial minerals.”He added, “President Trump considers Prime Minister Modi an important and private buddy. In actual fact, simply earlier than I left for New Delhi, that they had an unimaginable telephone name. And that's one thing that can proceed over the weeks and months forward.”PM Modi wrote on X, “Glad to obtain Mr. Sergio Gor, Ambassador-designate of the US to India. I'm assured that his tenure will additional strengthen the India–US Complete International Strategic Partnership.” He additionally shared {a photograph} with Gor, the place each are seen holding a big framed picture of PM Modi and US President Donald Trump from their joint press convention on the White Home earlier this yr.The picture bears a handwritten be aware from Trump, alongside along with his signature, that reads, “Mr Prime Minister, You might be nice!”Gor famous that the USA “values its relationship with India” and emphasised that his go to underscored Washington's dedication to strengthening bilateral cooperation. Earlier within the day, he additionally held discussions with exterior affairs minister S Jaishankar and international secretary Vikram Misri. “We had an important sequence of conferences,” Gor mentioned, including that each side exchanged views on increasing defence ties and financial collaboration. EAM Jaishankar described his assembly with Gor as “productive,” saying on X, “Mentioned the India-US relationship and its international significance. Want him the most effective for his new accountability.” Gor, accompanied by US deputy secretary for administration and assets Michael J Rigas, is presently on a six-day go to to India. The journey comes amid ongoing strains in India-US relations following Washington's resolution to impose 50 per cent tariffs on Indian exports — together with 25 per cent further duties on crude oil purchases from Russia. Regardless of these challenges, the current telephone name between PM Modi and Trump, and Gor's outreach in New Delhi, are being seen as indicators of optimism in resetting commerce negotiations. Earlier, throughout his Senate affirmation listening to, Gor had highlighted the “deep friendship” between Trump and PM Modi, calling it a “distinctive energy” in advancing bilateral relations. He mentioned, “India is a strategic companion whose trajectory will form the area and past.” Gor's formal presentation of credentials is anticipated to happen at a later date, in response to the US embassy.
