Jaishankar meets Sergio Gor ahead of US visit

 Ahead of his upcoming trip to the United States, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday met US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor in New Delhi.

Jaishankar said the talks focused on "the many dimensions of our partnership" and expressed confidence that the ambassador would help further strengthen India-US ties.

Taking to X, Jaishankar wrote, "Pleased to meet @USAmbIndia Sergio Gor today in New Delhi. Our conversation covered the many dimensions of our partnership. Welcomed him and expressed confidence that he would contribute to the strengthening of India-US relations."

Gor also shared the news about "highly substantive discussion" with Jaishankar, covering a wide range of issues including defence, trade and critical minerals.

"Always a pleasure to spend time with @DrSJaishankar. We had a highly substantive discussion that covered everything from defense, trade, critical minerals, and working towards our common interests. Stay tuned for much more!" he wrote on X.

Jaishankar is scheduled to visit Washington, D.C., next week for a high-level meeting on critical minerals. The trip, planned for early February, will see him take part in the inaugural Critical Minerals Ministerial, hosted by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on February 4 at the State Department.
US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, who officially assumed his role as the 27th ambassador on January 12, previously held senior positions in Washington, including Assistant to the President and Director of Presidential Personnel at the White House, overseeing key appointments and administrative matters.

Earlier, Ambassador Gor highlighted the robustness of India-US defence cooperation, pointing to a 10-year defence pact signed last year that he said will "significantly deepen" the strategic partnership between the two countries.

"Just last year the United States and India signed a 10 year defense pact which will significantly deepen our Defense Partnership. Joint exercises will continue, additional sales are in progress. This is a strong relationship! Thank you for hosting us Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh," Gor wrote on X, underscoring defence ties even as trade disputes continue to test the broader relationship.

The ambassador also attended India's Republic Day parade for the first time, calling it a privilege and a tribute to India's Constitution and democratic values.

In a post on X, Gor highlighted the participation of US-manufactured aircraft in the flypast, describing it as "a strong symbol of the depth and strength of the US-India strategic partnership."