Washington: At his Senate confirmation hearing in September, Sergio Gor described India as a strategic partner “whose trajectory will shape the region and beyond.” He stressed that India’s geographic position, economic rise, and military capabilities make it a cornerstone of regional stability and global prosperity.

“India is one of the most important relationships our nation has in the world. I will work to deliver on the presidential agenda and advance US interests by increasing defence cooperation, ensuring fair and beneficial trade, deepening energy security, and furthering technology collaboration,” Gor said.

He pledged to prioritise defence cooperation through expanded joint military exercises, co-development and co-production of systems, and critical defence sales. Gor also highlighted India’s demographic dividend, noting that its 1.4 billion people and rapidly growing middle class present vast opportunities for collaboration in artificial intelligence, pharmaceuticals, and critical minerals.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, introducing Gor, called US-India ties “one of the top relationships the United States has in the world today” and stressed India’s centrality to the Indo-Pacific.

Indian Ambassador to the US Vinay Kwatra welcomed Gor’s nomination, describing it as a sign of Washington’s priority in strengthening India–US bonds. President Trump, announcing the appointment earlier, wrote that he was sending “one of his most trusted aides” to India and added that Gor would also serve as special envoy for South and Central Asia.

At just 38, Gor currently heads the White House Presidential Personnel Office, overseeing the vetting of over 4,000 key posts in the Trump administration.