India’s Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) and former Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla has described President Donald Trump’s nomination of Sergio Gor as the next U.S. Ambassador to India as a “very positive step.”

Speaking at a special event hosted by the Indian American Business Impact Group (IMBIG) in Reston, Virginia, on August 26, 2025, Shringla praised Gor as “not only someone who has extraordinary capacities, who contributed very greatly to the political environment in the U.S., but [also] a very close associate of President Trump.” Shringla added that Gor’s closeness to Trump “makes a tremendous difference at this point in time.”

Shringla, who previously served as India’s Ambassador to the U.S. during Trump’s first term, highlighted the strong personal bond between President Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

He noted that Trump refers to Modi as “my very good friend,” while Modi attaches “the highest importance” to the relationship. “They value the fact that they have such a strong connect. And that connect doesn’t come from today. It comes from President Trump’s first term in office…” Shringla remarked.

Shringla also expressed confidence in the prospects of a trade deal. “We are very hopeful that we will find ways to conclude a mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement with the United States, early rather than late,” he said, adding that such an agreement would “take us to the next step of the visit of President Trump to India, meeting the Quad leaders, and… really setting us back on track.”

He cautioned, however, that starting August 27, Indian exports to the U.S. would face 50 percent customs duties, particularly affecting labor-intensive sectors such as textiles, leather, gems and jewelry, agriculture, and seafood. Shringla emphasized India has Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with Australia, UAE, UK, IFTA countries. 

“We are close to concluding an FTA with the European Union. This means that we can access different markets, and we would have the opportunity to divert some of our exports in that direction,” he added.

“I am a strong believer in our relationship. I believe that we share the most comprehensive and multifaceted partnership with the United States,” he said, emphasizing that the ongoing ties, along with the shared values and principles between the two countries, will help navigate the current situation. “We have faced challenges in the past and overcome them, and there is no doubt that we will do the same this time,” he affirmed.

Turning to India’s economy, Shringla noted recent positive indicators. “I’m happy to say that the economy is doing very well. We have just been upgraded by S&P Global… from a triple B- to a triple B rating,” he said.

He also cited low retail inflation at 1.7 percent, record-high foreign exchange reserves, and GDP growth of 6.5–7 percent, calling India “the fastest growing large economy in the world.”

He pointed out that India’s young demographic profile, an average age of 28, would drive consumption and growth for decades to come. “The next 20 years is going to see us at a very unique position of having a growing young population with also more ability to access goods and services than ever before,” he said, reiterating India’s goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047.

Acknowledging the contributions of the Indian diaspora, Shringla called them “stakeholders” in U.S.-India relations. “You’ve contributed very actively to bringing the relationship where it is,” he said, urging them to do more in addressing current challenges. 

“This is a time where I think you can do much more to contribute to bridging the gaps and bringing the relationship back onto track, [in] what I believe is the defining relationship of the 21st century.”

He underscored that while the community has played a “critical role,” its full potential remains untapped. “I don’t believe that we have really utilized the strength of the community to the extent that we should have,” he noted, adding that closer cooperation in areas such as technology and defense would further strengthen bilateral ties. 

Shringla expressed confidence that relations would return to the high levels seen during the “Howdy Modi” rally in Houston and the “Namaste Trump” event in Ahmedabad.

Welcoming Shringla, IMBIG Co-Founder Ravi Puli thanked him for addressing the gathering and shared the organization’s vision of creating a platform for Indian American entrepreneurs. “A couple of years ago I thought there is a need for a platform… So, with that aim, I requested the help of three other co-founders Sandesh Sharda, Anil Sharma, and Ashish Khot and then we quickly brought about 100 plus entrepreneurs together,” Puli said.

The event also drew business leaders and prominent guests including Prem Bhandari, chairman of Jaipur Foot USA; Al Mason; Jesse Singh, chairman of Sikhs of America; Katherine Hadda, senior associate (non-resident) at the Center for Strategic and International Studies; and Lisa Curtis, senior fellow and director of the Indo-Pacific Security Program at the Center for a New American Security.

Shringla also answered questions from IMBIG members and students on India-US strategic matters.

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