ANI | New Delhi | February 4, 2026: A day after India and the United States announced the completion of negotiations on a trade deal, former US Marine intelligence officer Grant Newsham underlined the key role played by US envoy to India, Sergio Gor, calling his appointment a strong positive for India–US relations.
Speaking to ANI, Newsham said Gor enjoys direct access to US President Donald Trump and holds significant influence within the administration.
“It’s funny that Mr Trump went to Davos the other day and made fun of French President Macron, and then the same thing with Mark Carney from Canada. But at the same time, it tells you that he’s thinking about India very differently. The really significant thing is the new ambassador to India, Sergio Gor,” Newsham said.
Newsham noted that Gor wielded considerable power during his tenure as Director of Personnel at the White House and deliberately chose India for his diplomatic posting.
“Very few ambassadors can call up the president and have him pick up the phone. Gor could have gone to any country he wanted. He was immensely powerful in the administration, but he chose India. He likes India, and he wanted to come here. The fact that he’s been chosen is a good thing,” he said.
Commenting on India’s relative absence from certain US policy documents, Newsham said this should be seen as a positive indicator rather than a concern.
“I think the fact that India doesn’t get so much attention in these documents might actually be a good thing. Countries that do get mentioned—directly or euphemistically—are often the ones the administration is unhappy with,” he remarked.
Newsham also highlighted Washington’s growing recognition of the risks posed by Communist China and India’s role as a stabilising power in the region.
“India is considered a solid country when it comes to the region and taking on China. The Indians have been fighting the Chinese for a long time. I’ve had retired Indian officers tell me, ‘We’ve been at war with them since 1962.’ There’s far more recognition today of the Chinese Communist risk in India,” he said.
He added that defence and military cooperation between the two nations has advanced significantly.
“If US Navy ships are getting repaired in Indian shipyards, that shows trust. Defence cooperation agreements, technology sharing, and co-production don’t happen with countries you have serious doubts about. The defence relationship has come along quite well, and perhaps intelligence cooperation too,” he said.
Despite acknowledging some challenges on the trade front, Newsham maintained that bilateral ties remain strong.
“I remember the India of the 1980s. Compared to that era, our relationship today is really good. Yes, there are problems on the trade front, but overall it’s in pretty good shape,” he said.
He also noted that occasional controversial statements or social media posts should be viewed in the larger strategic context.
“There are tweets and statements people don’t like, even ones I wouldn’t have made myself. But you have to look at fundamental interests and the nature of both countries. When you do that, the relationship looks solid,” Newsham added.
Earlier, US White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also highlighted the strong rapport between President Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“Yesterday, the President struck another great trade deal with India. He spoke with Prime Minister Modi directly. They share a very good relationship,” she told reporters. (ANI)
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