Two Top US Diplomats To Join India Mission Before Ambassador Sergio Gor - Who Are They?

New Delhi: Even before Sergio Gor, the new US ambassador to India, arrives in New Delhi in January, two senior American diplomats will be joining the mission in the coming weeks. While Ambassador Gor, who has worked closely with President Donald Trump, is a political appointee, Jason Meeks, who is joining as deputy chief of mission, and Graham Mayer, an old India hand, are experienced American diplomats.While India and the United States of America have had some disagreements in recent months, and the USA's 50 percent tariff on India is a concern, senior officials believe a major reboot, beginning with regular visits of senior officials, is likely in the coming months.ALSO READ | Will Oman Hand Over 20 Jaguar Fighter Jets to India And Why IAF

Need Them?

Who is Jason Meeks?

Jason Meeks, the new DCM, has been an American diplomat for over 20 years and is coming from Kathmandu, Nepal, having been there for the last three years. Meeks, the DCM in Kathmandu, has served in Asia earlier, including in Taiwan and Turkey and also, in Africa, besides holding important positions in the State Department in Washington DC.

Who is Graham Mayer?

Few serving American diplomats have spent as much time in India as Graham Mayer, who is currently DCM in Singapore.He has been minister-counsellor for political affairs (an extremely important appointment) in the US Embassy in Delhi for a long while--about four years, beginning 2020.Between 2014 and 2017, he was deputy minister counsellor for political affairs in New Delhi.ALSO READ | US Labels India a ‘Highly Strategic Partner’ in AI and Supply Chain Security: What It Means In between, he was in Foggy Bottom, as the State Department's acting director in charge of not only India, but also Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and the Maldives. Mayer, who has served in Beijing and in Sarajevo, will be in New Delhi for a relatively short while, coming before Ambassador Gor's arrival.

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These appointments come as President Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have had a conversation on the phone. The Indo-US trade deal is also being negotiated.A major sticking point had been Russia's sale of petroleum to Indian private sector firms. After the US sanctioned Russian firms, the import of Russian oil has come down considerably.A big moment, if bilateral ties continue to improve, will be the Quad summit in New Delhi. For that, President Trump will have to be here along with the Prime Ministers of Japan and Australia. But that will take time.