US envoy Sergio Gor leveraged proximity to Trump to unlock breakthrough with PM Modi

New Delhi: US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor leveraged his close ties and direct access to President Donald Trump to help seal the trade deal within a month of his arrival in the country, people familiar with the matter said.

Gor, who is among a small group of people considered part of Trump's inner circle, is understood to have conveyed Indian concerns and sentiments over the often tense negotiations, helping break the logjam and secure a breakthrough in the talks, they added.

Prior to his appointment as the ambassador, Gor was assistant to President Trump and director of presidential personnel in the White House.


In many ways, Gor acted as the bridge builder at a time when the India-US partnership had hit a low. Immediately after he assumed charge, he flew to Mumbai to meet Indian industry chiefs to gauge their sentiments in the wake of the steep 50% tariffs slapped by the US since August last year, including a 25% penalty for purchases of Russian oil.

Gor was able to convey India's concerns directly to Trump, unlike a career diplomat who would not have had similar access to the President.

"Gor is essentially a bridge builder and used his good offices with President Trump and contributed to sealing the trade deal within a few weeks of his arrival...," Rajya Sabha member and former foreign secretary Harsh V Shringla told ET.

Shringla was India's envoy to the US and later foreign secretary during Trump's first term as President.

Over the past three weeks, Gor has had an intense schedule, facilitating the visits of US lawmakers and military delegation including the army secretary, with whom he shares a personal bond.

Even before he formally took charge on January 14, Gor visited India and called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, among others.