Sergio Gor, the nominee for the next US Ambassador to India, has articulated a clear vision for strengthening Indo-US ties and drawing India away from China's sphere of influence. During his confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday, Gor emphasized the warmth of the relationship between the United States and India, asserting that it surpasses India's relationship with China. He pledged to prioritize efforts to align India more closely with the US, emphasizing that the two nations share more common ground than India does with China.
Gor addressed concerns about India potentially drifting towards China, particularly in light of recent meetings between Indian, Chinese, and Russian leaders. He argued that fundamental differences and concerns, especially regarding China's expansionist policies and border disputes, would prevent any lasting alignment between India and China. Gor specifically referenced the 2020 border clash between India and China, which resulted in casualties on both sides, as evidence of the underlying tensions.
To counter China's influence, Gor proposed deepening cooperation with India in several key areas, including defense, trade, and technology. He highlighted the importance of expanding joint military exercises, promoting the co-development and co-production of defense systems, and finalizing critical defense sales. Gor also underscored the need to advance fair and reciprocal trade that benefits American workers and businesses. He believes that improved trade ties between the US and India will not only boost US competitiveness but also reduce China's economic leverage over other nations.
On the economic front, Gor acknowledged existing trade tensions between the US and India, including US tariffs on Indian imports and India's purchases of Russian oil. However, he expressed optimism that these issues could be resolved in the near future. He disclosed that President Trump has invited Indian commerce and trade ministers to Washington for meetings with the US Trade Representative, with the aim of reaching a trade deal. Gor also indicated that the US is interested in opening the Indian market to American crude oil, petroleum products, and LNG.
Furthermore, Gor stressed the importance of personal engagement and fostering a "personal touch" in bilateral relations. He noted that President Trump is personally engaged in strengthening ties with India and has a deep friendship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Gor also pointed out that Trump has often complimented Modi, even when criticizing India on trade issues.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed Gor's sentiments, emphasizing that India is among America's top relationships for shaping the world's future. He highlighted the importance of the Indo-Pacific region and India's central role in it. Rubio also challenged reports suggesting that the Trump administration is reducing its commitments in the region.
Overall, Sergio Gor's testimony signals a strong commitment to strengthening Indo-US relations and countering China's influence. His emphasis on defense, trade, and personal engagement suggests a multifaceted approach to deepen ties between the two countries and ensure that India is "pulled in [the US'] direction, not away from [them]".
