US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday described India as “one of the top relationships that the US has in the world today,” while introducing Sergio Gor, President Donald Trump’s nominee for Ambassador to India, before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Rubio highlighted India’s central role in shaping the global order, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. “In the 21st century, the story is going to be written in the Indo-Pacific. It’s so important that we even renamed the combatant command to reflect that. India is at the core of it,” he said.
The Secretary of State noted that India-US relations are undergoing an “extraordinary transition,” citing shared challenges including the Ukraine conflict and regional security concerns that demand close coordination between Washington and New Delhi.
Praising Gor’s credentials, Rubio emphasized his direct access to President Trump and his ability to deliver results. “Having a representative in India who has the confidence of the President and can get things done both in the administration and the Oval Office is critically important. I don’t know anyone better suited than Sergio Gor,” he said.
Gor, 38, currently serves as Director of Presidential Personnel at the White House and was nominated in January to succeed former Ambassador Eric Garcetti. If confirmed, he will become the youngest US Ambassador to India.
During his confirmation hearing, Gor echoed Rubio’s remarks, calling India a “strategic partner whose trajectory will shape the region and beyond.” He stressed that India’s geography, economic growth, and military strength make it a cornerstone of regional peace and prosperity as well as a vital ally in advancing shared security objectives.