The arrival of Sergio Gor as the new United States Ambassador to India has injected renewed optimism into India–US relations, with an eminent Indian American community leader describing the development as a “very positive step” at a crucial juncture in bilateral ties.

Jasdip Singh Jessee, associated with Sikhs for Trump, said the appointment fills a long-standing diplomatic vacuum that had emerged during a sensitive phase in relations between the two countries. He noted that the absence of a US ambassador in New Delhi for an extended period had contributed to uncertainty at a time when sustained engagement was required.

“There was a vacuum created for a long time at a very crucial time when our relationships were spiralling down,” Jessee said, adding that the arrival of the new envoy “makes a big difference.”

Jessee underscored the significance of Ambassador Gor’s close ties with US President Donald Trump, suggesting that the appointment reflects India’s growing importance in Washington’s foreign policy priorities. According to him, the decision to send a trusted confidant of the US President to New Delhi carries a strong political signal.

“One thing one should know about Sergio Gor is that he is very close to President Trump,” Jessee said. “President Trump sending his confidant to India shows that India is a very important country in the eyes of President Trump.”

The Indian American leader said Ambassador Gor’s early public remarks and outreach efforts in India have been encouraging and well received. He described the tone of the ambassador’s statements as positive and forward-looking, and also praised Indian media coverage for presenting a balanced and constructive narrative around the new envoy’s engagement.

“So far, I’ve seen the ambassador’s remarks there. They’ve been very positive, very uplifting, upbeat,” Jessee said.

Beyond diplomatic symbolism, Jessee pointed to expanding engagement across economic and strategic sectors as evidence of renewed momentum in bilateral relations. He highlighted growing discussions on trade and emerging areas of cooperation, including critical minerals, as signs of a broader and more diversified partnership.

“A lot of other channels are being opened now for trade,” he said. “Even minerals are now on the table.”

Jessee also noted that dialogue on a potential trade agreement began soon after Ambassador Gor assumed charge, describing recent high-level interactions between Indian and US officials as further confirmation of improving ties. He referred to talks between India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio as a positive indicator of sustained diplomatic engagement.

“We have very positive news that our External Affairs Minister spoke with Secretary of State Marco Rubio,” Jessee said.

Reflecting the sentiments of the Indian American diaspora, Jessee emphasized the community’s continued interest in strengthening relations between the world’s two largest democracies. He said Indian Americans see themselves as a bridge between New Delhi and Washington and are eager to contribute to deepening cooperation.

“We always hope, the Indian diaspora here, that India and the US have a very strong relationship,” he said. “We want to help and take this relationship to the very next level.”