Trump’s envoy pick is a cause for concern for India

New Delhi, Aug 23: At a time when India and the United States are locked in a bitter tariff dispute and uneasy over Washington’s stance on Russian oil imports, President Donald Trump has nominated Sergio Gor — a fiercely loyal aide with little diplomatic experience — as the next ambassador to New Delhi.

For India, the move is contentious on two counts. First, Trump has handed Gor a dual role: he will not only head the mission in India but also serve as special envoy for South and Central Asia. That mandate effectively drags Pakistan and Afghanistan policy into the same basket, a shift that risks undoing years of Indian work on “de-hyphenating” itself from Pakistan. Second, Gor’s reputation as a Trump loyalist rather than a seasoned diplomat raises concerns that New Delhi’s engagement will be filtered almost entirely through the lens of Trump’s domestic political agenda.

The appointment also comes amid escalating economic friction. Trump recently doubled tariffs on Indian goods to 50 per cent, lashing out at New Delhi’s “profiteering” from discounted Russian oil. A planned US trade delegation visit was cancelled, underscoring the chill in ties. In that context, sending one of his closest confidants signals that Trump wants negotiations taken seriously — with Gor acting as his direct proxy.

Gor, 38, currently heads the White House Presidential Personnel Office. Born in Uzbekistan and raised in Malta before migrating to the US, he built his career through Republican politics, eventually becoming a fixture in Rand Paul’s team before moving into Trump’s inner circle. He later co-founded Winning Team Publishing, which produced Trump’s post-presidency books.

Gor’s record includes high-profile disputes, none more dramatic than his clash with Elon Musk. Musk publicly labelled him a “snake” and “sleazy,” accusing him of mismanaging staffing and blocking his pick for NASA administrator. Gor, in turn, is said to have revelled in Trump’s withdrawal of Musk’s nominee, and even took satisfaction in Tesla stock’s decline. For critics, that episode epitomised Gor’s willingness to play hardball for Trump — an approach ill-suited for delicate diplomacy.

Analysts note that Gor’s biggest asset — direct access to Trump — may also be his greatest liability for India. While New Delhi values ambassadors who can deliver straight to the White House, Gor’s closeness could mean decisions are driven more by Trump’s instincts than by long-term US strategy. 

The ambassadorship has been vacant since Eric Garcetti’s departure in January. Filling it with a Trump confidant rather than a career diplomat makes clear that loyalty, not experience, is the president’s priority. For India, that could mean more direct engagement with Washington — but also more unpredictability in an already fraught relationship.