Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Sergio Gor, the ambassador-designate of the United States to India, on October 11. The Prime Minister expressed confidence that the India-US partnership would deepen further during Gor's upcoming term.
During the meeting, Gor presented Narendra Modi with a framed photo of the Prime Minister and US President Donald Trump during a meeting earlier this year.
The photo contained a handwritten message from President Trump. “Mr. Prime Minister, you are great,” read Trump's message, followed by his signature.
Gor, the White House personnel director and a loyal member of President Donald Trump's inner circle, was nominated in August as the next US envoy to India.
'More than grateful'
After meeting Prime Minister Modi, Gor had said he was “extremely grateful” to Trump for showing “incredible confidence” in appointing him as its next US Ambassador to India and Special Envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs.
Gor and Deputy Secretary for Management and Resources Michael J Rigas had been in India since October 9 meeting government officials to discuss “a wide range of bilateral issues. Officials said this will be Gor's short trip to India, and he will take on the role of ambassador at a later date.
Prime Minister Modi also expressed confidence that ties between India and the US will further strengthen during Gor's tenure.
“Happy to receive Mr. Sergio Gor, the US Ambassador-designate to India. I am confident that his tenure will further strengthen the comprehensive global strategic partnership between India and the US,” Prime Minister Modi said in a message on
India – US ties
Relations between New Delhi and Washington are under severe strain after Trump doubled tariffs on Indian goods to as much as 50 percent, including an additional 25 percent levy on India's purchases of Russian crude.
India described the US action as “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable”. India is also angry over Trump's new policy on H1B visas.
However, the recent telephone conversations between Prime Minister Modi and US President Trump have raised hopes of a positive outcome in the ongoing trade negotiations.
Prime Minister Modi spoke to President Trump to praise his peace plan for Gaza. Earlier in September, President Trump became the first world leader to call and speak to Prime Minister Modi as the Prime Minister turned 75 the next day on September 17.
The two countries have already resumed negotiations on the trade deal after a brief hiatus of a few weeks.
Trump-Modi Bonhomie
President Trump has struck a conciliatory tone in recent statements, expressing optimism that a trade deal could be finalized soon. This contrasts with previous tensions between the two countries, marked by sharp comments from US officials against India over Russian oil purchases.
However, on August 27, the day the US tariffs on India came into effect, former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla expressed hope that India could conclude a “satisfactory mutually beneficial” free trade agreement (FTA) with the US.
Shringla, who is also a member of the Rajya Sabha, expressed hope in the “close and special cooperation” between Prime Minister Modi and President Donald Trump.
Shringla was referring to the 'Howdy Modi and Namaste Trump' events, which highlighted the friendship between the two leaders during US President Trump's first term.
'Howdi Modi' and 'Namaste Trump'
In September 2019, then US President Donald Trump hosted Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Texas during the 'Howdy, Modi!' event. The mega event was attended by approximately 50,000 people. Prime Minister Modi welcomed Trump – a year later – to Gujarat, his home state, for an even bigger event attended by more than 120,000 people.
Trump lost the 2020 US presidential election to Joe Biden, but returned to power four years later.
In February 2025, Narendra Modi was one of the first world leaders to visit the US since Trump's inauguration for his second term as president in January. The framed photo that Gor presented to the prime minister on Saturday was from the Trump-Modi meeting in Washington, DC, during the same trip.
Trade between India and the US
In 2024, India and the US traded goods and services worth $186 billion, with a surplus of $41 billion in India's favor.
Trump has repeatedly called India a “good friend,” but his recent statements and policies on visas and tariffs have affected the relationship.
According to a report by the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), India's labor-intensive sector exports are expected to decline by as much as 70 percent when US tariffs come into effect in August.
What now?
India will host the Quad Leaders Summit later this year, although the date is yet to be finalized. During his visit to the US in February, Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited Donald Trump to attend the meeting.
I am pleased to receive Mr. Sergio Gor, US Ambassador-designate to India. I am confident that his tenure will further strengthen the comprehensive global strategic partnership between India and the US.
With relations strained, Trump's presence at the Quad summit seemed unlikely. However, recent developments have led to a degree of optimism in India-US relations.
Last month, Gor said the president remains committed to sustained engagement with the Quad, indicating he will travel to India for the summit later this year amid trade tensions between the two countries.
