US Ambassador-designate to India Sergio Gor is in Delhi amid speculation about a Modi-Trump meeting later this month in Malaysia. Gor is accompanied by Michael Rigas, deputy secretary for management and resources.
The US State Department confirmed that Gor and Rigas will meet senior Indian officials to discuss a “wide range of bilateral issues,” including trade, immigration policy, regional security, and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
Diplomatic Pressures
The visit comes at a time of strains in bilateral relations chiefly over Trump’s tariffs on Indian goods, the hike in H-1B visa fees and diverging views on regional developments.
The timing is also notable as Afghanistan’s foreign minister is currently in India, raising speculation about possible discussions involving security coordination and US interest in regaining access to the Bagram airbase, once a central hub for US operations in the region.
Critical Minerals
One of the key areas of focus during the visit is expected to be critical minerals. In July, the four Quad nations (India, the US, Australia, and Japan), launched the Quad Critical Minerals Initiative, aimed at strengthening and diversifying the supply chains for materials vital to technology and clean energy sectors.
US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have highlighted the need to not only secure raw material sources but also invest in processing and refining capabilities, areas where cooperation with India is being explored.
High-Level Engagements
Despite tensions, the two sides have kept up the conversation, Though these conversations are informal and largely symbolic, they signal an ongoing interest in keeping diplomatic channels open as both countries assess their priorities.
Gor, recently confirmed by the US Senate, will be looking to establish working relationships with Indian counterparts during his visit. Discussions are expected to cover a mix of strategic, economic, and regional topics.
