Sergio Gor to take charge as US ambassador to India on Jan 12

Ambassador Designate Sergio Gor will assume his duties at the US Embassy in New Delhi on January 12, sources told CNBC-TV18.

The 39-year-old is expected to present his credentials to President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan, formalising his role as the top US envoy in the country. He had earlier called this role an "honour of a lifetime."

Gor, a close ally and former head of the White House Presidential Personnel Office under President Donald Trump, was confirmed by the US Senate in October last

year and sworn in as ambassador in mid-November.

"I'm trusting Sergio to help strengthen one of our country's most important international relationships and that's the strategic partnership with India," Trump had said at the time.

His appointment comes at a sensitive moment in India–US ties which has come under biggest strain over trade issues. The US imposed a hefty 50% tariff on India to pressure India to stop purchasing Russian oil and defence products. The Indian government has defended its trade ties with Russia stating it is determined by national interest. 

Trade talks are ongoing at the moment. Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal last month said the two countries are close to a framework deal without outlining timelines. 

In October 2025, the ambassador-designate visited India for six days after he was appointed to the role. At the time, he met India's external affairs minister S Jaishankar, India’s Ambassador to the US Vinay Kwatra and other officials.

Gor succeeds Eric Garcetti, who stepped down earlier in 2025, leaving the embassy without a permanent ambassador for much of the past year. 

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