• Source:JND
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Trump India visit:  Sergio Gor, Trump’s nominee to be the next US Ambassador to India, on Friday, indicated that the US President could travel to India later this year to attend the Quad Leaders’ Summit.

Without confirming exact dates, Gor told members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that President Trump was “fully committed” to engaging with Quad leaders and that discussions were underway regarding the venue of the next meeting. “The President is fully committed to continuing to meet with the Quad. There have already been talks about a trip for the next Quad meeting,” Gor said.

India As Possible Quad Host

India was originally scheduled to host the Quad Summit in 2024, but the venue was shifted to the United States owing to then-President Joe Biden’s domestic commitments. With Trump back in office, discussions have resumed about bringing the Quad gathering to India in 2025.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier extended an invitation to Trump during their June 17 phone conversation, which, according to the Indian readout, the US President accepted. Gor’s latest remarks suggest that the plan is still active.

Deepening Indo-US ties

The diplomat-designate Sergio Gor underlined the significance of Washington’s ties with New Delhi. “Despite a little hiccup on tariffs, our relationship with India is much stronger; it’s built on many more decades,” he said, pointing to joint military exercises in Alaska involving over 500 troops from both countries.

He further said the United States wanted to strengthen its relationship with India in a way that reduces New Delhi’s reliance on Beijing. “Our relationship with the Indian government and the Indian people is much warmer than they have with the Chinese. We will make it a top priority that India is pulled into our side and away from them,” Gor added.

On trade ties, Gor acknowledged ongoing friction after the Trump administration imposed 50 per cent tariffs on Indian imports, partly citing New Delhi’s continued oil trade with Russia. He, however, signalled optimism. “Talks have entered the nitty-gritty stage. We fully intend to open Indian markets to our crude oil, petroleum products, and LNG. The possibilities are endless,” he said, stressing India’s growing middle-class consumer base.

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At the same time, he reiterated Washington’s demand for India to gradually end purchases of Russian crude, a move the US believes undermines Western sanctions. Gor emphasised that despite tariff disputes, Trump shares a “deep friendship” with Prime Minister Modi. “The President has been critical of India, but he goes out of his way to compliment Modi. They have an incredible relationship. I have been with them in the same room,” he told Senators.

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If confirmed as ambassador, Gor pledged to make Indo-US cooperation a priority across defence, trade, climate, and technology. “India is not simply a regional ally but a strategic partner,” he said. This year’s Quad Summit is expected to be markedly different from previous editions, with new leadership in Washington and Tokyo. A final decision on the venue and schedule is awaited, but Sergio Gor’s remarks suggest that Trump’s travel to India remains very much on the table.