New Delhi. Amid tensions in relations between India and America, US Ambassador-designate Sergio Gor, considered close to President Donald Trump, has reached New Delhi. Gore, 38, was sworn in as the US Ambassador to India in mid-November. After reaching New Delhi on Friday night, he said on social media, “It feels great to be in India.” There are immense opportunities ahead for both our countries.” His arrival in India has come at a time when a new dispute has arisen between the two sides following a claim by US Commerce Secretary Howard Latnick. Latnik had said that the proposed trade agreement between the two countries could not happen last year because Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not call President Donald Trump.

India on Friday rejected the claim and described Latnik’s comments as false. Gore was serving as the White House Personnel Director when President Trump nominated him to be the next US Ambassador to India in August. Relations between the two countries are under severe strain after Trump doubled the duty (tariff) on Indian goods to 50 percent. Apart from tariffs, relations have also deteriorated over several other issues, including Trump’s claim in May last year to end the India-Pakistan conflict and America’s new immigration policy.

The US Senate in October approved the appointment of Gore as the next US Ambassador to India. After Gore’s swearing-in ceremony, Trump had said, “I have confidence in Sergio Gore that he will help strengthen one of our country’s most important international relationships, our strategic partnership with India.”

Gore had described his new role as the “greatest honor” of his life and said he looked forward to “strengthening” relations between the US and India. He played a prominent role in the Trump campaign’s political action committee (PAC) ahead of the 2024 presidential election, and his influence grew manifold after being tasked with vetting political appointments in the new administration. In January last year, the then US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti resigned from the post, Which paved the way for the Trump administration to appoint its new ambassador. A few days after the approval from the Senate, Gore visited India for six days. During this visit, he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.