In a candid moment at the White House, U.S. President Donald Trump offered a playful piece of advice to his Ambassador-Designate to India, Sergio Gor, stating, “Better represent us, not them.” The President made these remarks during a media interaction, highlighting the ongoing strong ties between India and the United States. This statement comes on the heels of Gor’s recent visit to India, during which he engaged in productive meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
Trump expressed confidence in Gor’s ability to excel in his new role, saying, “Sergio is going to do a great job.” He also extended his praise for Prime Minister Modi, referring to him as a “great man” and a personal friend. Trump shared that Gor had informed him of Modi’s positive regard for him, noting that the Prime Minister “loves” him.
Reflecting on India’s political landscape, Trump commented on the country’s stability under Modi’s leadership, contrasting it with what he perceived as frequent leadership changes in the past. “I have watched India for years. It’s an incredible country and every single year you would have a new leader. Some would be in there for a few months and this was year after year after year and my friend has been there now for a long time,” Trump remarked.
Sergio Gor’s India Visit and Views on Trump-Modi Relations
Following his confirmation by the U.S. Senate as the next Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor undertook a visit to the country last week. During his engagements with Prime Minister Modi, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and other dignitaries, Gor emphasized the significance of the India-U.S. partnership.
Gor also spoke about the personal bond between President Trump and Prime Minister Modi, describing Trump’s view of Modi as a “great leader and personal friend.” He revealed that they had an “incredible phone call” just before his departure for New Delhi, indicating that such interactions would continue.
Trump’s Assertions on India-Russia Oil Trade
In discussions about trade relations, President Trump claimed that Prime Minister Modi had assured him that India would cease purchasing oil from Russia. “He’s not buying his oil from Russia… It’s a little bit of a process, but the process is going to be over soon,” Trump stated, suggesting that India’s oil trade with Russia would resume after the conflict in Ukraine concludes.
This statement follows a period of tension in India-U.S. trade relations, marked by the imposition of 50% tariffs by the Trump administration on certain Indian imports, partly due to India’s oil trade with Russia.