Overview

• US ambassador-designate Sergio Gor met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, telling reporters they discussed defence, trade, technology and critical minerals, and stating the US values its relationship with India.
• Government readouts confirmed separate meetings with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval during Gor’s six-day familiarisation trip with Deputy Secretary Michael J. Rigas.
• The US Embassy said Gor will not present his credentials during this visit, with his formal assumption of duties to follow at a later date.
• The outreach follows steep US duties on Indian exports raised to as high as 50%, including a 25% levy linked to purchases of Russian crude, measures India has denounced as unfair and unjustified.
• Trade talks have restarted in New Delhi with recent USTR-led engagement, and reporting indicates officials are exploring a smaller, targeted agreement to help de-escalate the dispute.