US values its relationship with India: Ambassador-designate Gor after meeting PM Modi
New Delhi (PTI): The US "values" its relationship with India, US Ambassador-designate Sergio Gor said on Saturday after holding talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi that focused on cooperation in areas of defence, trade and critical minerals.
Gor landed in New Delhi this morning on a six-day visit that came amid continuing strains in the bilateral relations over Washington's imposition of 50 per cent tariffs on Indian exports and a host of other measures taken by the Trump administration that hit Indian interests.
The Ambassador-designate held talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri before meeting PM Modi.
In a post on "X", Modi said he was "glad" to receive Gor.
"I'm confident that his tenure will further strengthen the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership," the prime minister said.
Gor said his meeting with Modi focused on defence, trade, technology and critical minerals, adding President Donald Trump considers Modi as a great leader and personal friend.
"We had a great series of meetings including with Foreign Secretary Misri, with external affairs minister Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Doval," Got told PTI and two other media outlets.
"We just finished an incredible meeting with Prime Minister Modi where we discussed bilateral issues including defence, trade and technology," he said
"We also discussed the importance of critical minerals and the importance of that to both our nations," Gor added.
The discussion between the two sides on critical minerals assumes significance as it comes against the backdrop of China putting export restrictions on them.
"The US values its relationship with India and under the strong leadership of President Donald J Trump and Prime Minister Modi, I am optimistic about the days ahead for both of our nations," Gor said.
"President Trump considers Modi a great and personal friend. In fact, just before I left for New Delhi, they had an incredible phone call. That is something that will continue over the weeks and months ahead," Gor said.
The US ambassador-designate said he was confident that the India-US relationship would continue to grow.
"It's an honour to serve as President Donald Trump's ambassador to India and I look forward to this very important relationship. And (it will) continue to grow and deepen," he said.
Gor, accompanied by Deputy Secretary for Management and Resources Michael J Rigas, is visiting New Delhi, days after his appointment as the US envoy to India was confirmed by the Senate.
Following his meeting with Gor, Jaishankar said the discussions focused on the India-US relationship and its global significance.
"Pleased to meet Ambassador-designate Sergio Gor of the US today in New Delhi. Discussed the India-US relationship and its global significance," Jaishankar said on social media.
"Wish him the best for his new responsibility," he said.
On Foreign Secretary Misri's meeting with Gor, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said: "They had a productive exchange on the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership and its shared priorities."
The relations between New Delhi and Washington have been reeling under severe stress after Trump doubled tariffs on Indian goods to a whopping 50 per cent, including a 25 per cent additional duty for India's purchase of Russian crude oil.
India described the US action as "unfair, unjustified and unreasonable".
India has also been upset over Trump's new policy on H1B visas.
However, the recent phone conversations between Prime Modi and US President Trump have raised hopes for a positive outcome from the ongoing negotiations for the trade deal.
The two countries recently resumed negotiations for the trade deal after a brief hiatus of a few weeks.
Gor, the White House personnel director and a loyal member of President Donald Trump's inner circle, was nominated as the next American envoy to India in August.
In his reaction, Gor had said he was "beyond grateful" to Trump for showing "incredible trust and confidence" in nominating him to be his next US ambassador to India and the special envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs.
The US Senate this week confirmed the appointment.
American officials said Gor will not present his credentials as the US envoy during his stay in New Delhi this time.
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National Herald case: Shivakumar to seek time next week to appear before Delhi police
New Delhi/Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday said he will ask for time from Delhi police to appear before them next week, to provide required information as part of the probe into the National Herald case.
He said he will seek time after the ongoing winter session of Karnataka legislature ends on December 19. He will also ask the Delhi police to provide him the FIR copy.
Shivakumar, who is in the national capital, had earlier said that he will appear before the Delhi police on Monday. But, he postponed the plan in order to rush back to Karnataka to participate in the last rites of veteran Congress leader Shamanuru Shivashankarappa, scheduled later in the day in Davangere.
"I had to go (to appear before the Delhi police), but I have to go back urgently. I'm asking them for time, stating that I will come next week," Shivakumar told reporters in New Delhi.
"They (Delhi police) have not attached the FIR copy while issuing notice to me. I need FIR copy, because we had already given all the required replies to the ED. I don't know what the FIR says, I only read in papers. They have given notice, I will ask for a FIR copy. I will come next week after the Assembly session."
The Delhi Police had issued a notice to Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Congress chief, seeking financial and transactional details as part of its probe into the National Herald case.
The notice issued by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) states that Shivakumar is "supposed to be having vital information" pertaining to the National Herald case registered on October 3 this year, against top Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
In the notice dated November 29, the EOW had asked Shivakumar to appear before it or provide the requested information by December 19 latest.
Investigators have sought details about his personal background, his association with the Congress party, and a complete break up of funds allegedly transferred by him or associated entities to Young Indian.
To a question on meeting AICC General Secretaries K C Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala, amid the ongoing power tussle between him and CM Siddaramaiah over the Chief Minister post, Shivakumar said when he comes to Delhi, he usually meets every one.
"Whether it is Surjewala or Kharge (AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge) or Venugopal, I will meet everyone. During lunch yesterday I met Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. I have met everyone. What's wrong?" he asked.
Shivakumar was in Delhi to take part in Congress' "Vote Chori" rally on Sunday, and had also participated in the lunch organised by the party for its leaders.
Responding to a question, whether any meeting is planned with leaders today, the Deputy CM said, he and Kharge will be travelling together to Karnataka, to pay last respects to Shamanuru Shivashankarappa.
Asked if he will seek time for a separate meeting with Congress leadership including Rahul Gandhi, during the next visit to Delhi, Sivakumar said, "such things will be there between us in the party.... you don't worry."
