Sergio Gor on Indo-Pacific Command Controversy and U.S.-India Relations

Washington DC, United States Jul 1, 2026 ALN: U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor dismissed the controversy surrounding the renaming of the Indo-Pacific Command, stating that the "name on the letterhead" is not what matters; rather, it is essential to focus on the actions of the United States.

Speaking at the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum Leadership Summit on June 29, 2026, Mr. Gor highlighted that India continues to engage in more military exercises with the U.S. than with any other nation, along with regular bilateral visits of defense officials.

His comments came in response to the recent decision to drop 'Indo' from the Indo-Pacific Command. Originally established in 1947, the U.S. Pacific Command is one of the oldest unified commands, extending from the West Coast of the U.S. to India’s western border.

During President Donald Trump’s first term, the Pacific Command was renamed the Indo-Pacific Command to reflect India's growing significance in the region. Earlier this month, the U.S. reverted to the original name of the unified command.

"I just want to mention something because a lot of individuals made hay over a name change. I don't care what name is on a letterhead, but look at what the United States is actually doing," Mr. Gor stated.

He emphasized that despite the name change, the U.S. remains actively engaged with India. "India still has more exercises with the United States than with any other country by far. Every single month there's something happening, whether it's Indian troops coming here or whether it's U.S. troops going into the region," he added.

Mr. Gor also mentioned that a delegation from the Indian Navy is scheduled to visit the U.S. in the next two weeks.

He rejected claims that the bilateral ties between the U.S. and India have weakened, asserting that the overall relationship remains robust. "To all those pundits that sit online and tweet and say this relationship is in trouble, when you look at the facts of where this relationship stands—whether it's trade, defense, or people-to-people ties—the relationship is on strong footing," he remarked.

Mr. Gor noted that President Trump places significant importance on the relationship with India and is committed to expanding cooperation in areas such as trade, technology, defense, and investment.

He recounted an incident where President Trump decided to call Prime Minister Modi while attending the Ultimate Fighting Championship bouts in Miami. "It was a couple of months ago... with the president at UFC in Miami, and we're sitting backstage, and he said to me, 'Let's call the Prime Minister,'" Mr. Gor recalled.

When he informed Trump that it was 6:00 a.m. in India, Trump insisted that Modi would be awake, saying, "He [Modi] is like me." By the time Mr. Gor managed to arrange the call, Trump was already on stage, and the conversation with Modi was scheduled for the following day.

This incident, according to Mr. Gor, illustrates the nature of the relationship between Trump and Modi. "The louder message of that story is when you're friends with somebody, not everything has to be scheduled," he explained, adding that the president genuinely considers the Prime Minister a friend.

Mr. Gor emphasized that the years of interaction between Trump and Modi have created warm memories of India, which he views as a significant advantage in their diplomatic relations.

"The United States wants to work hand in hand with India," he stated, noting that the next two years are crucial for shaping bilateral ties for decades to come.

"These next two years will set the relationship on a path for several decades ahead. So, for everyone here who participates in this, think of this as a long-term project. This is not a one-year or two-year endeavor, but what we sow now will continue to sustain us for decades ahead," Mr. Gor concluded.