Donald Trump has announced his intention to nominate Sergio Gor, the current White House personnel director, as the next United States Ambassador to India, as well as special envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs. Trump made the announcement on Truth Social, stating he was pleased to promote Gor to the position. Gor will remain in his current White House role until his confirmation by the Senate.
Trump praised Gor, calling him a "great friend" who has been by his side for many years. He highlighted Gor's work on his presidential campaigns, his role in publishing Trump's best-selling books, and his leadership of one of the biggest Super PACs supporting the "Make America Great Again" movement. Trump emphasized the importance of having someone he trusts in India, stating that it is vital to have someone who can deliver on his agenda in the world's most populous region.
Gor's background includes serving as the director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office since 2025. In this role, he and his team have reportedly hired nearly 4,000 "America First Patriots" across various departments of the federal government. He also co-founded Winning Team Publishing with Donald Trump Jr.. Born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan (then part of the Soviet Union) in 1986, Gor also spent several years in Malta. He entered Trump's inner circle through his business ties with Donald Trump Jr..
The appointment comes at a time when U.S.-India relations face certain challenges, including trade disputes and disagreements over strategic partnerships. Some sources note that relations have become strained due to Trump's trade war, with collapsed talks regarding lower tariff rates after India resisted opening its agricultural and dairy sectors. Gor will succeed Eric Garcetti, who served as ambassador from May 11, 2023, to January 20, 2025.
The nomination of Gor, described as one of Trump's closest aides, is subject to confirmation by the U.S. Senate. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee will likely review the nomination. If confirmed, Gor will play a key role in shaping the relationship between the United States and India, as well as the broader South and Central Asian region.
