US-India partnership will define the 21st century: Ambassador-designate to India Sergio Gor

US President Donald Trump’s trusted aide and Ambassador-designate to India, Sergio Gor, on Thursday said the US-India partnership will define the 21st century. He listed cooperation in defence, technology, AI, semi-conductors, pharmaceutical and critical minerals as his job-targets in New Delhi.

Gor was appearing before the US Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee in Washington DC and listed how the US plans to be top energy supplier to India – crude oil and natural gas. Gor’s appointment as Ambassador to India – done on August 23 -- needs to be ratified by the committee led by James Risch from Trump’s own party, the Republicans.

On being asked by a Senator if he could commit on the scheduled Quad leaders’ meeting in India, Gor said, “The President is fully committed to the meeting of Quad and strengthening it.” Gor also quantified Trump’s friendship with PM Narendra Modi. “President Trump has been critical of India, he goes out of his way to compliment Modi," said Gor.

Earlier, while introducing Gor to the committee, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated a further easing out of ties saying, “India is one of the top relationships the US has in the world today, in terms of the future, what the world is going to look like." It is in a period of “extraordinary transition”.

Laying out his tasks in New Delhi, Gor said India's geographical position, economic growth and military capabilities make it a cornerstone of regional stability and a critical part of promoting prosperity and advancing the security interests that the US and India share. “India is one of the most important relationships our nation has in the world…I will work to increase our defence cooperation, ensuring fair and beneficial trade, deepening energy security and furthering technology.”

Gor’s words come at a time when India and the US are set to discuss the transfer of technology for aero-engines, additional surveillance planes, transport planes and even possibly fighter jets. 

Gor said his task would be cut out to advance dominance of American AI technology in India.

The US would be looking at advancing trade that is fair, reciprocal and beneficial to the American workers and businesses, said Gor.