US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor on Wednesday (January 14, 2026) presented his credentials to President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, marking the beginning of his tenure in New Delhi at a crucial and turbulent time in the bilateral relationships in view of trade-related tariffs and a lingering discussion over a trade agreement.
Murmu accepted Gor’s credentials at a ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, according to an official statement from the Indian President’s office. Murmu also received the credentials of Trinidad and Tobago High Commissioner Chandradath Singh and Austria ambassador Robert Zischg on the occasion.
Who is Sergio Gor?
Gor, aged 38, took over as American Ambassador to India in mid-November 2025, after the US Senate confirmed him in October. Previously, he was President Donald Trump’s White House director for personnel.
Trump announced him as his envoy to India in August 2025, following a long absence of any US ambassador to India occupying the key diplomatic position that is mandated to grow the bilateral ties between Washington and New Delhi.
What did Gor say about India-US ties?
On Monday (January 12), after reaching Delhi on Friday (January 9) and resuming his office, Gor signalled the US intent to rebuild the already strained India ties.
In his remarks, shared by the American embassy in New Delhi, Gor said no country in the world was as essential to the US as India, and that both sides were actively engaged with each other to firm up the trade deal.
Why did India-US ties begin wobbling?
The troubles in the India-US ties began after Trump had claimed credit as a peacemaker, following an announcement of the abatement of military operations by India and Pakistan during Operation Sindoor in May 2025.
He followed up with a 25% additional tariff on India, raising the rates to 50%, for what he called the financing of Moscow’s military operations in Ukraine by buying Russian crude oil.
Why is Gor’s role in India important?
Gor’s formal resumption of his role as US Ambassador to India is also significant, as Trump announced more tariffs on nations engaging in business with Iran following a Tehran crackdown on domestic protestors earlier this week. India could come under fire for its ties with Iran and its business, such as its role in building the Chabahar port.
Ties were further strained after US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick last week claimed that the proposed India–US trade deal collapsed because Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not call President Trump, an assertion India publicly dismissed as “inaccurate.” The MEA clarified that they spoke 8 times in 2025.