NEW DELHI: President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday received the credentials of the newly appointed ambassadors of the United States and Austria, along with the High Commissioner of Trinidad and Tobago, at Rashtrapati Bhavan.In a post on X, the Rashtrapati Bhavan said: “President Droupadi Murmu received credentials from Mr Chandradath Singh, High Commissioner of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago; Dr Robert Zischg, Ambassador of the Republic of Austria; and Mr Sergio Gor, Ambassador of the United States of America, at Rashtrapati Bhavan.”US Ambassador Sergio Gor, who also serves as Washington’s Special Envoy to South and Central Asia, formally assumed charge after presenting his credentials. Gor had taken oath earlier this week at the US Embassy in New Delhi.
Addressing a gathering at the embassy on Monday, Gor described the relationship between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi as “real”, stressing that differences between the two countries can be resolved through dialogue.“I have travelled all over the world with President Trump, and I can attest that his friendship with Prime Minister Modi is real. The United States and India are bound, not just by shared interests but by a relationship anchored at the highest levels. Real friends can disagree but always resolve their differences in the end,” Gor said.Calling India a “remarkable nation”, Gor said he would work to take the bilateral partnership to the next level.“This is the intersection between the world’s oldest democracy and the world’s largest democracy,” he said, adding that President Trump often recalls his visit to India and his friendship with Prime Minister Modi.Gor emphasised the strategic importance of ties with India and said he intends to pursue an ambitious agenda during his tenure.In a post on X Gor said, “Today, I presented my credentials as U.S. Ambassador to India to President Droupadi Murmu @RashtrapatiBhvn. I am grateful to President Trump for his trust and confidence, and proud to carry forward his Administration’s priorities. Together, we will strengthen our partnership in security, trade, energy, and technology, building the U.S.-India partnership that will define the 21st century.” A prominent American businessman and political operative, Gor has previously worked in several US political and government organisations, including the Republican National Committee. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and International Affairs from The George Washington University.Earlier in the day, President Murmu also received the credentials of Dr Robert Zischg, the new Ambassador of Austria to India.“I am honoured to have presented my credentials to the Hon’ble President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu. Austria and India share a longstanding and friendly relationship rooted in strong people-to-people ties and economic cooperation,” Zischg said, adding that he looks forward to deepening bilateral engagement.The Austrian Embassy, in a post on X, said: “Welcome Ambassador Zischg! Today, Ambassador Dr Robert Zischg presented Letter of Credence, marking the official assumption of his duties.”
India and Austria established diplomatic relations on November 10, 1949, and have maintained steady engagement across political, economic and people-to-people domains.Earlier this year, external affairs minister S Jaishankar held talks with Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger, during which both sides reaffirmed zero tolerance for terrorism and opposed any form of nuclear blackmail. Jaishankar had also visited Austria from December 31, 2022, to January 3, 2023.
