United States Ambassador-designate to India, Sergio Gor, arrived in New Delhi shortly after being confirmed by the US Senate. However, US officials clarified that he will not present his credentials as ambassador during this visit. He is accompanied by Michael J. Rigas, Deputy Secretary for Management and Resources, on a six-day trip from October 9 to 14, according to a US State Department statement.

During their visit, Gor and Rigas are set to meet with Indian officials to discuss a wide range of bilateral issues. The State Department emphasized that the United States aims to continue strengthening its strategic partnership with India and promote a safer, stronger, and more prosperous Indo-Pacific region.

The visit comes as both countries work to finalize a bilateral trade agreement (BTA) intended to streamline exports and align tariff frameworks. Relations between Washington and New Delhi have recently cooled after President Donald Trump doubled tariffs on Indian goods to 50 percent, including an additional 25 percent duty on India’s imports of Russian crude oil, a move India described as “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable.”

Despite this, recent phone conversations between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Trump have raised hopes of improving ties, and discussions on the BTA have resumed after a short pause. Sergio Gor, a former White House Personnel Director and a close aide to Trump, was nominated as the next US envoy to India in August. Upon his nomination, Gor expressed his gratitude to Trump, saying he was “beyond grateful” for the “incredible trust and confidence” shown in appointing him as US Ambassador to India and Special Envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs.