Trump goes out of his way to compliment Modi says US ambassador-designate to India Sergio Gor

Sergio Gor positive about pulling India closer to the US

• The US ambassador-designate to India Sergio Gor is positive about pulling India closer to the USA.
• Sergio Gor talks about Donald Trump’s rapport with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• Sergio Gor addressed trade tensions and India’s Russian oil purchases. Gor said a trade agreement will be completed very soon.
• Gor emphasized on India’s role in the Indo-Pacific
• The US showed concerns over India’s participation in forums with Russia and China.

Sergio Gor reflects on Trump’s personal rapport with Modi

• The US ambassador-designate to India, Sergio Gor, on Thursday emphasized on Donald Trump’s personal rapport with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• He said, that Trump’s rapport with Narendra Modi is “something unique” adding that President Donald Trump never criticizes Modi even when showing displeasure with India’s policy decisions.
• If you have noticed, when he has gone after other nations, he tends to go after their leaders for putting us in that position, and for the United States imposing those tariffs. When the president has been critical of India, he has gone out his way to compliment Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They have an incredible relationship,” Gor said while talking to the members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SRFC) during his confirmation hearing.

Trump favours China over India

• Gor’s remarks come at a time when India is facing tariff penalties from India for and US displeasure over India buying oil from Russia.
• As India faced tariff penalties under Trump’s executive orders, China did not face any penalties despite buying larger quantities of oil from Russia.
• This discrepancy was noted by Democratic senator Jeanne Shaheen during the hearing.
• “We hold our friends to different standards. Frankly, we expect more from India than we do sometimes from other nations,” Gor said.

India-US close to finalising trade agreement

• Despite hiccups regarding tariffs and energy policy, Gor said that the two countries are close to closing in on a trade agreement.
• “We are not that far apart right now… In fact, they’re negotiating the nitty gritty of a deal,” Gor said, adding that Indian commerce and trade minister have been invited to Washington to meet US trade representative Jamieson Greer next week.
• Marco Rubio, the Secretary of State made an unusual appearance to personally introduce the ambassadorial nominees, echoed the administration’s strategic vision of India’s role in the Indo-Pacific, stating that “India is among America’s TOP relationships for shaping the world’s future.”
• Marco Rubio also talked about India’s importance in the renamed Indo-Pacific Command.
• He also said, “The story of the 21st century will be written in the Indo-Pacific… India is the core of that.”

Gor reaffirms Trump’s commitment to Quad grouping

• Sergio Gor reaffirmed Trump’s commitment to Quad grouping that includes Japan, India, and Australia.
• However, Gor did not confirm if Donald Trump would attend the next Quad summit scheduled in India later this year.
• Following growing US concerns over India participating in forums like the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), where India shares the stage with Russia and China.
• Gor gave assurance to lawmakers: “The US and India have a lot more in common than they have with Russia or China… If confirmed, I will ensure they (India) are pulled in our direction, not away from us.”
• SRFC chairman Jim Risch also warned that the US “will not tolerate support for Putin’s war machine,” urging Gor to give a firm message to New Delhi for buying Russian oil.
• Trump’s close confidant Sergio Gor with direct access to the President, framed the India mission as one focusing on maintaining strategic convergence amidst policy divergence.
• Gor also cleared that as long as trade and geopolitical differences are present, foundation of the relationship between India and the US, leadership dynamic held together between Trump and Modi, remains strong.

Editor’s Note

• As tensions arise over India’s continued purchase of Russian oil, reaching a trade agreement between the US and India is tricky. Although Trump goes out of his way to compliment Modi even when showing displeasure, it will be critical that the US and India reach a settlement on their own without any external help. But as things stand, India and the US will soon reach a trade agreement and the tariff penalties will hopefully be lifted.