‘President Trump’s great personal friend’: US envoy-designate meets PM Modi, ‘discusses trade, tech amid tariff tensions

Gor presented the Prime Minister with a signed photograph of himself with US President Donald Trump at the White House, bearing the handwritten note, “Mr Prime Minister, you are great.”

The meeting came amid turbulence in New Delhi–Washington relations following the US decision to impose 50 percent tariffs on Indian exports. Prime Minister Modi expressed optimism about strengthening bilateral ties under the new envoy’s tenure.

Sharing a photo with the envoy, Modi wrote on X, “Glad to receive Mr Sergio Gor, Ambassador-designate of the US to India. I’m confident that his tenure will further strengthen the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.”

‘President Trump considers PM Modi a great and personal friend’

Following the meeting, Gor told reporters that “President Trump considers PM Modi a great and personal friend,” adding that their discussions covered trade, defence, technology, and the importance of critical minerals to both nations, according to an India Today report.

Before meeting Modi, Gor also held talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.

"It's an honour and a privilege to be here today. We just finished an incredible meeting with Prime Minister Modi, where we discussed bilateral issues, including defence, trade, and technology. We also discussed the importance of critical minerals and the importance of them to both of our nations. The US values its relationship with India, and under the strong leadership of President Donald J Trump and Prime Minister Modi, I'm optimistic about the days ahead for both of our nations," Gor said.

Envoy begins six-day India visit amid trade strain

Gor, a 38-year-old close aide to Trump and a prominent figure in the MAGA campaign, is on a six-day visit to India following his confirmation by the US Senate as Ambassador to India.

He is accompanied by Deputy Secretary for Management and Resources Michael J Rigas.

He has also been appointed Trump’s special envoy for South and Central Asia.

Relations between India and the US have been under strain since President Trump doubled tariffs on Indian goods to 50 percent, including a 25 percent duty on India’s imports of Russian crude oil. New Delhi described the move as “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable.”

However, recent phone conversations between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump have sparked optimism about a breakthrough in trade negotiations.

Talks on the long-pending bilateral trade deal have resumed after a brief pause, although both sides are yet to reach a final agreement.