US Envoy: India is Cornerstone of 21st Century Global Strategy

Gor, the current US. Ambassador to India, said Washington is working to deepen its engagement with New Delhi, aiming to transform the bilateral relationship into what he described as the defining strategic partnership of the 21st century.

In an interview to Span magazine, Gor emphasised that his approach is shaped by his experience under US President Donald Trump, highlighting a results-oriented style of diplomacy. "President Trump is the hardest working man in politics. He moves fast and demands results," he said, adding that his focus remains on delivering "something tangible and positive for the American people."

He also underscored the importance of leadership-level ties, noting that "President Trump considers Prime Minister Modi a true friend," a relationship he said strengthens the broader partnership between the two countries.

Defence cooperation remains the most significant pillar of the relationship, according to the envoy. He pointed to the ongoing Major Defence Partnership and a new 10-year framework that expands collaboration in defence industrial production, science and technology, and operational coordination.

Joint military exercises such as Malabar, Tiger Triumph and Cope India, he said, continue to enhance interoperability between the two armed forces. "These three core aspects - diplomacy, defence exercises, and military sales -ensure strong, continued defence cooperation," Gor said, expressing confidence in further strengthening ties.

"My vision is to transform the US-India relationship into the defining strategic partnership of the 21st century, one that delivers tangible benefits for both our nations," he said.

"I want the positive outcomes of our partnership to be felt by ordinary citizens - American farmers selling more to Indian markets, joint research breakthroughs in energy and medicine, and both nations' militaries operating seamlessly together to ensure a safe and secure Indo-Pacific," he added.

"The US-India relationship is rooted in shared democratic values, mutual prosperity, and common security interests that will shape the global order for generations," Gor said.

On the economic front, Gor highlighted the potential for expanded bilateral trade, citing India's growing infrastructure needs and alignment with US strengths in sectors such as energy, aviation and advanced manufacturing. "Simply put, we have a win-win situation in front of us," he said.

He also pointed to growing cooperation in securing critical supply chains. Initiatives such as the US-India COMPACT framework and the Pax Silica Declaration aim to build resilience in semiconductors, critical minerals and pharmaceuticals, while reducing dependence on single sources.

Artificial intelligence is emerging as another key area of collaboration. Reflecting on the recent AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, Gor said he had seen "first-hand the limitless potential" of US-India cooperation in the field. At the same time, he cautioned against centralised global regulation, saying, "The answer is certainly not to have some global governance board based out of the UN determine what you can and can't use AI for."

- IANS