Trump’s India Envoy Nominee Vows to Pull New Delhi ‘Away From China’

Sergio Gor, U.S. President Donald Trump’s nominee for ambassador to India, told lawmakers Thursday that strengthening Washington’s ties with New Delhi and distancing it from Beijing would be his top priority if confirmed.

“While we might have our moment of hiccups right now, we are on track to resolve that,” Gor said during his Senate confirmation hearing. “Our relationship with the Indian government and the Indian people extends many more decades, and it’s a much warmer relationship than they have with the Chinese. We will make it a top priority that India is pulled into our side and away from them.”

Gor, who described India as a “strategic partner” and “cornerstone of regional stability,” said trade was central to the relationship. He urged India to open its markets to U.S. crude oil, petroleum products, and LNG, noting the size of India’s middle class. He also said the two sides were close to clinching a trade deal: “They’re negotiating down to the nitty-gritty of a deal.”

Tensions between Washington and New Delhi have risen over U.S. tariffs on Indian goods and India’s purchase of discounted Russian oil. Trump recently insisted he would “always be friends” with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who said he “fully reciprocated” the sentiment. Both leaders have signaled readiness to continue negotiations on trade barriers.