'Incredible opportunities': US ambassador-designate Sergio Gor arrives in India; visit coincides with ongoing tariff tensions

NEW DELHI: US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor arrived India on Friday, saying there are "incredible opportunities" ahead for the two countries. In a post on X, Gor wrote, "Great to be back in India! Incredible opportunities ahead for our two nations!" His arrival follows US President Donald Trump’s approval on Thursday of a bill that allows for tariffs of at least 500% on countries importing Russian oil, intended to "punish them." US Senator Lindsey Graham stated that the bill would provide the US with significant leverage over countries such as China, India, and Brazil, encouraging them to stop purchasing discounted Russian oil.Gor was sworn in as the US Ambassador to India in November at the White House. Following the ceremony, US President Donald Trump highlighted the importance of the relationship with India and expressed confidence in Gor.Prior to his swearing-in, Gor had visited India in October, where he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, external affairs minister S Jaishankar, and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. In August, Trump had nominated Gor as India's next ambassador and Special Envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs. During his testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in September, Gor emphasised that India is "one of the most important relationships our nation (US) has in the world."