Sergio Gore, White House personnel director, urges deeper U.S.-India trade, defense and technology ties if confirmed as ambassador to India

Sergio Gore, the White House director of presidential personnel and President Trump’s nominee to be U.S. ambassador to India, told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Sept. 11 that he would prioritize defense cooperation, trade liberalization, energy exports and technology ties if confirmed.

Gore said India’s geographic position, economic growth and military capabilities make it “a cornerstone of regional stability” and urged work toward the administration’s “Mission 500” goal to double bilateral trade to $500,000,000,000 by 2030. He also described his special-envoy role covering parts of South and Central Asia as a complement to career ambassadors in the region.

The nominee framed India as a partner for U.S. strategic and economic interests. “India is a strategic partner whose trajectory will shape the region and beyond,” Gore said in his opening remarks. He told senators he would press for expanded joint military exercises, co-development of defense systems, increased U.S. energy exports, and closer cooperation on artificial…