Real friends can disagree but still resolve differences, says US envoy

NEW DELHI: The US embassy belted out Hold On, I’m Coming, a 1960s classic President Donald Trump used in his election rallies, to welcome Ambassador Sergio Gor as he walked into his new office Monday, hitting all the right notes while declaring that his clear mission was to take the relationship to the next level.

Gor backed the trade deal under discussion saying both sides are determined to achieve it, endorsed cooperation in counterterrorism, energy and technology, invited India to join the US-led Pax Silica initiative on supply chain security and asserted no partner is more essential than India.

However, while he described Trump’s friendship with PM Narendra Modi as real, Gor said the president could visit India “hopefully in the next year or two”. The remark suggests that the already delayed Quad summit that India must host might have to wait longer.

Gor addressed the embassy staff and media on his first day in office, even before officially presenting his credentials, indicating he won’t be dictated by conventions in performing his new role. The ambassador said that the US and India are bound not just by shared interests, but by a relationship anchored at the highest levels, and real friends can disagree but always resolve their differences in the end.

“Last week, our great Secretary of State Marco Rubio powerfully stated that this year will be a year of reciprocity. We are raising the standard for diplomacy itself. That means fair trade, mutual respect, and shared security,” said Gor, adding both sides continue to actively engage for the trade and the next call on the issue would take place on Tuesday.

"Remember, India is the world's largest nation, so it's not an easy task to get this across the finish line, but we are determined to get there. And while trade is very important for our relationship, we will continue to work closely together on other very important areas such as security, counterterrorism, energy, technology, education, and health,” he added while delivering his arrival speech. Despite the differences, both sides have been close to finalising the deal for a while now and India said last week it remained interested in a mutually beneficial trade deal between two complementary economies and looked forward to concluding it.

On Pax Silica, a US flagship initiative on AI and reliable supply chain, Gor said that as the world adopts new technology, it is essential that India and the United States work together from the very start of this initiative. Only close US partners like the UK, Japan, South Korea and Israel were invited so far to join the effort that is meant to also challenge China’s dominance in high-end technology.

Addressing the embassy staff, Gor said they had an opportunity to redefine diplomacy and accomplish what could be the most consequential global partnership of this century. “No partner is more essential than India. In the months and years ahead, it is my goal as ambassador to pursue a very ambitious agenda. We will do this as true strategic partners, each bringing strength, respect, and leadership to the table,” said Gor, who was welcomed with a musical extravaganza that played MAGA and Trump favourites like YMCA by Village People and November Rain by Guns N Roses. According to diplomatic sources, the playlist which also included songs like Ring of Fire by Johnny Cash and Hello by Lionel Richie was chosen by Gor himself.

Gor was effusive in his praise of Modi, calling him an incredible and great PM. “I was with the President last week, and as we had dinner right after New Year's, he recounted his incredible experience visiting here and also his great friendship with the great Prime Minister of India, Prime Minister Modi,” said Gor, a close Trump aide in his previous role. “I've traveled all over the world with President Trump, and I can attest that his friendship with Prime Minister Modi is real,” said Gor, who is expected to present his credentials to President Droupadi Murmu this week.

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