Sergio Gor Confirmed As US Ambassador To India
new York:Sergio Gor was confirmed by the Senate as the next US Ambassador to India, becoming America’s youngest ambassador in Delhi.
Gor, 38, was among 107 candidates confirmed by the Senate in a single-block vote on Tuesday; 51 senators voted in favor and 47 against. The approvals come despite the current U.S. government shutdown.
Other confirmed candidates included Paul Kapur of California as Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs and Anjani Sinha of Florida as Ambassador to the Republic of Singapore.
In August, Trump nominated Presidential Personnel Director Gor to be the next US Ambassador to India and Special Envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs.
Describing Gor as a great friend who has been with me for many years, Trump said it was important to have someone I can fully trust to deliver the Agenda for the world’s most populous region and help us ‘Make America Great Again.’ Sergio will be an incredible Ambassador.
Indian Ambassador to the US Vinay Mohan Kwatra welcomed Gor’s nomination and described him as one of Trump’s most trusted aides. He said the decision reflects the importance and priority the US attaches to its bilateral relations with India.
At his confirmation hearing in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee last month, Gor said India was a strategic partner whose trajectory would shape the region and beyond.
He said he was committed to advancing America’s interest in this important partnership. “Improving US-India trade ties will not only increase US competitiveness but also reduce China’s economic influence on other countries,” Gor had said.
Gor also noted that India’s role in ensuring regional stability and security “cannot be mitigated”.
A stable South Asia is in the interest of the United States and all nations, he told the panel, adding that the US-India partnership will define the 21st Century.
“Only by working together can we make this ambition a reality. If confirmed as ambassador, I will work to ensure that the United States remains a global leader while promoting a partnership that benefits both nations.”
Congratulating Gor and Kapur on their Senate confirmations, the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) said it looks forward to progress on trade issues, technology cooperation, energy partnership and education ties.
USISPF President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Mukesh Aghi described Gor’s approval as timely and definitive, saying it is a signal to New Delhi that US-India relations are a top priority for the administration and the region and that together, through the right diplomatic channels, we can iron out wrinkles and reach consensus.
USISPF said the India-US relationship has in recent years become the most important strategic partnership of the 21st century.
While acknowledging several recent setbacks for Gor, USISPF emphasized during the confirmation hearing that the two major democracies are “not that far apart” on trade issues and reiterated India’s importance as a democratic and strategic counterweight to China in the Indo-Pacific region.
USISPF certainly agrees with Ambassador Gor that Washington and New Delhi have more in common with each other than with Moscow or Beijing.
USISPF also hoped for the approval of the Quad Leaders Summit later this year to strengthen the strong personal kinship and personal ties between Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
India will host leaders of Australia, Japan and the USA for the Quad Summit, the dates of which are yet to be finalized.
