Overview
- Gor announced his arrival with an upbeat X post, writing, "Great to be back in India! Incredible opportunities ahead for our two nations!"
- The new envoy was nominated in August, confirmed by the Senate in October, sworn in during November, and is due to take charge on January 12.
- Washington recently doubled certain duties on Indian goods to 50%, including an extra 25% levy tied to India’s purchases of Russian crude.
- A bipartisan proposal from Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal would authorize tariffs as high as 500% on buyers of Russian oil, with Graham saying President Trump has approved the plan and a vote could come soon.
- New Delhi rejected U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s claim that a trade deal stalled over a missed Modi–Trump call, as both sides continue negotiations and Gor signals priorities on market access and reduced Russian oil imports.