Gor vows to press India on Russian oil and market access

President Donald Trump’s nominee for ambassador to India said Thursday that Washington will make it a priority to pull New Delhi closer to the United States by pressing India to stop buying Russian oil and to open its markets to American goods, as both sides prepare to resume trade talks in New Delhi next week. U.S. and Indian officials said the delegations will meet Tuesday after weeks of rancor sparked by U.S. tariffs aimed at penalizing India for increased purchases of Russian crude.

At his Senate confirmation hearing, Sergio Gor, a close White House aide nominated to be ambassador and special envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs, told senators he would prioritize deepening defense and technology cooperation while also pressing India on energy and trade. "Should I be confirmed, I will make it a top priority to ensure that they are pulled in our direction, not away from us," Gor said, adding that he would push to expand joint military exercises, advance codevelopment and coproduction of defense systems, and conclude critical defense sales.

Gor’s comments echo blunt public statements by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who told CNBC that a trade deal hinges on New Delhi...