He's published books authored by Donald Trump, raised millions for his 2024 campaign, and helped him staff Washington with loyalists during the US president's second term.
Now Sergio Gor is set to become Trump's man in India, while also overseeing US relations with other South and Central Asian countries.
Last week, Trump announced that he was promoting Gor, his personnel chief, to be the next US Ambassador to India. He called Gor a great friend and someone he could fully trust to deliver on the agenda.
The 38-year-old's appointment comes at a time when relations between the two countries have become strained due to Trump's punishing tariffs on India.
Gor's appointment has evoked mixed reactions in India, with some observers saying that having a close Trump aide in the post is a positive sign for India-US ties. But others have questioned Trump's decision to share his India envoy with South and Central Asian countries, which includes Pakistan, with whom India shares a tense relationship.
Experts say that Gor's broad regional mandate threatens to expose India to an overreach by Washington in its affairs with Pakistan, including on the Kashmir issue - a red line for India.
The special envoy's additional designation will likely create some challenges, at least in India. India typically prefers not to be 'hyphenated' with Pakistan, says Alyssa Ayres from the Council of Foreign Relations, an American think-tank focused on US foreign policy.
Lawrence Haas, a former senior White House official, suggests that it could also be Trump's way of signaling to Delhi that he doesn't think the role of ambassador to India needs to be a full-time job.
I imagine that India's leaders will feel slighted and insulted, which will further strain US-India relations, Mr. Haas warned.
Gor is said to get along not just with Trump but with the entire Trump clan, including Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, and Donald Trump Jr. Kushner has called Gor easygoing and trusted. Gor is known for vetting presidential appointees for loyalty to Trump.
His origins are both unclear and interesting. Born in Uzbekistan in 1986, Gor reportedly spent much of his childhood in Malta before moving to the US at 12. He began his political involvement in Republican circles during his school and college days.
In positions he held before his current role, Gor showcased his commitment to Trump's agenda, and his close relationship with the Trump family indicates he may leverage this influence in his new role to navigate complex diplomatic waters between the U.S. and India.
Now Sergio Gor is set to become Trump's man in India, while also overseeing US relations with other South and Central Asian countries.
Last week, Trump announced that he was promoting Gor, his personnel chief, to be the next US Ambassador to India. He called Gor a great friend and someone he could fully trust to deliver on the agenda.
The 38-year-old's appointment comes at a time when relations between the two countries have become strained due to Trump's punishing tariffs on India.
Gor's appointment has evoked mixed reactions in India, with some observers saying that having a close Trump aide in the post is a positive sign for India-US ties. But others have questioned Trump's decision to share his India envoy with South and Central Asian countries, which includes Pakistan, with whom India shares a tense relationship.
Experts say that Gor's broad regional mandate threatens to expose India to an overreach by Washington in its affairs with Pakistan, including on the Kashmir issue - a red line for India.
The special envoy's additional designation will likely create some challenges, at least in India. India typically prefers not to be 'hyphenated' with Pakistan, says Alyssa Ayres from the Council of Foreign Relations, an American think-tank focused on US foreign policy.
Lawrence Haas, a former senior White House official, suggests that it could also be Trump's way of signaling to Delhi that he doesn't think the role of ambassador to India needs to be a full-time job.
I imagine that India's leaders will feel slighted and insulted, which will further strain US-India relations, Mr. Haas warned.
Gor is said to get along not just with Trump but with the entire Trump clan, including Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, and Donald Trump Jr. Kushner has called Gor easygoing and trusted. Gor is known for vetting presidential appointees for loyalty to Trump.
His origins are both unclear and interesting. Born in Uzbekistan in 1986, Gor reportedly spent much of his childhood in Malta before moving to the US at 12. He began his political involvement in Republican circles during his school and college days.
In positions he held before his current role, Gor showcased his commitment to Trump's agenda, and his close relationship with the Trump family indicates he may leverage this influence in his new role to navigate complex diplomatic waters between the U.S. and India.
