Sergio Gor was sworn in as the new Ambassador of the United States to the Republic of India by Vice President JD Vance at the Oval Office on November 10, 2025. The ceremony, attended by President Donald Trump, cabinet members, and Republican senators, marked another milestone in the administration’s efforts to strengthen U.S.–India relations.

Looking around the packed Oval Office, Vice President Vance quipped, “We have such a crowd here. You think we’re swearing in a vice president,” adding, “I think it’s a great testament to you, Sergio, you got multiple cabinet secretaries, Erika Kirk [wife of late Charlie Kirk], the President of the United States. This crowd would not turn out for just anybody, but it turned out for Sergio.”

Among those in attendance were Senators Lindsey Graham, Jim Risch, Tommy Tuberville, and Katie Britt, along with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro. Erika Kirk was also present as a special guest.

Before the oath, President Trump said, “I’m trusting Sergio to help strengthen one of our country’s most important international relationships, and that’s the strategic partnership with the Republic of India. It’s a big deal.” He highlighted India as “one of the world’s oldest civilizations, the largest country in the world, actually, and it’s got over 1.5 billion people.”

“We have a fantastic relationship with Prime Minister Modi, and Sergio has only enhanced that, because he’s become already friendly with the Prime Minister,” he continued. “Knowing that Sergio is going to be the Ambassador, they would call constantly to say, let’s get to know this man, and they like what they see.”

President Trump emphasized India’s growing role, noting that it has “the fastest growing middle class” and is “an important economic and strategic security partner in the Indo-Pacific region.” As Special Envoy to South and Central Asia, Trump said, Gor would play a vital role among nations “at the crossroads between East and West.”

Recalling a recent meeting with five Central Asian leaders at the White House, Trump said, “Sergio will be helping with all of that. We had an amazing meeting the other night, and I’m confident that Sergio will do an outstanding job and make our country and all of his friends very proud.”

Sharing that he has known Gor for a “long time,” Trump said, “I think he’s going to be an outstanding representative for the United States of America. Being the Ambassador to India is a big deal. So, Sergio, congratulations. I know you’re going to do a fantastic job.”

Addressing questions about tariffs, the President noted that duties on India remain “very high” due to Russian oil imports but added that India has “stopped doing” such purchases, with imports “reduced very substantially.” He said, “We’re going to be bringing the tariffs down at some point. We’re making a deal with India, much different deal that we had in the past. So right now, they don’t love me, but they’ll love us again. We’re getting a fair deal, just a fair-trade deal.”

Reflecting on Gor’s service, Trump said, “One year ago, Sergio played a key role in helping us secure the most consequential presidential election victory in the history of our country.” As Director of the Office of Presidential Personnel, Gor’s “leadership was essential to fulfilling the historic mandate entrusted to us by the American people,” he added.

Congratulating Gor, Vice President Vance said, “Sergio, you’re going to be a great Ambassador, great representative to the country of India, which the President and I both love.” He added, “As a lot of you know, Sergio was a critical piece of what made the first 10 months such a great success.”

Acknowledging Gor’s contributions, Vance said, “You can’t do a whole lot unless you’ve got good people around you, and Sergio did as much as anybody to ensure that the White House was staffed with the very best people, people who were loyal to the President, loyal to the country, and loyal to the agenda that we’re trying to implement.”

Gor thanked the President, saying, “Mr. President, this is an honor of a lifetime,” and remarked that the country was in “trouble” before President Trump took over. 

He added, “I mean, frankly, we were screwed. What you have achieved in 10 months has been historic. Has surpassed any other presidency, and I fully believe what you will achieve in the next three years – we will never be beaten.”

He continued, “It has been an honor to serve you. I’ve been at your side for many years. I will continue to be there, and it’s just an incredible honor. I look forward to enhancing the relationship between our two nations.”

Echoing Gor’s sentiments, Secretary of State Rubio, added, “Mr. President, you’ve done a lot for this country, more than any other president has in such a short period of time, and part of that is putting together a phenomenal team,” noting “I know Sergio was instrumental in helping you achieve that, and so we think he’ll do a great job.”

Rubio noted the packed room, joking, “This is a very impressive collection of people. There are almost 1.5 million people in the Oval Office right now,” adding, “Sergio is going to do a phenomenal job. Those of us who’ve known him know how hard he works, 24 hours, seven days a week, and that’s what it takes to work in this administration.”

District Attorney Pirro praised Gor as “loyal, trustworthy, and one of the hardest workers I know.” 

Erika Kirk added emotionally, “Charlie loved you. It’s hard not to get emotional,” saying her late husband would have been the first person to call to congratulate Gor. She added, “I am so proud of you, and Charlie is going to be with you every single day in spirit. This is just the beginning of an incredible opportunity for you.”

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