Gor, 38, currently serves as director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office.
By AB Wire
President Donald Trump announced Friday that he will nominate Sergio Gor, a close aide, as the next U.S. ambassador to India, a post that will come with the added role of special envoy for South and Central Asian affairs.
The move comes at a time of heightened strain between Washington and New Delhi, with U.S. tariffs on Indian imports set to double next week.
Trump made the announcement via social media, praising Gor’s work as director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office. He wrote:
“Sergio’s role as Director of Presidential Personnel has been essential to delivering on the unprecedented Mandate that we received from the American People. For the most populous Region in the World, it is important that I have someone I can fully trust to deliver on my Agenda and help us, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN.”
Gor, 38, will remain in his personnel post until confirmed by the Senate. Known for his strict approach to vetting candidates for top administration jobs, Gor earned Trump’s confidence—and occasional criticism from detractors—by blocking hires who had previously criticized the president.
His methods, which included combing through social media histories of potential appointees, sparked controversy, with former special adviser Elon Musk calling him “a snake” after claiming Gor derailed the nomination of a Musk ally for NASA administrator.
The ambassadorial appointment comes amid growing U.S.-India tensions. Trump has announced that tariffs on Indian goods—already raised by 25%—will climb to 50% on August 27. The administration argues that India’s increased purchases of Russian oil during the war in Ukraine justify the hike, a position reinforced by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who this week accused India of “profiteering” from discounted crude.
Trade talks between the two nations have stalled over Washington’s demand that India open its agricultural and dairy markets, while New Delhi remains resistant. Sharp escalation in tariffs risks further damaging one of America’s most important strategic relationships in Asia.
If confirmed, Gor will succeed Eric Garcetti, who served as the U.S. ambassador to India from 2023 to January this year.
Born in Tashkent, then part of the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic in the Soviet Union, Gor emigrated to the United States with his family in 1999.
He attended George Washington University in Washington, D.C., where he was actively involved with the College Republicans and founded the university’s chapter of Young America’s Foundation.