Sergio Gor, a longtime confidant of Donald Trump who spent part of his childhood in Malta, is now just one Senate vote away from becoming the next U.S. Ambassador to India and Special Envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs.Trump announced the nomination on social media, describing Gor as a “great friend” who has “been at my side for many years.”In his post, the U.S. president praised Gor’s work as Director of Presidential Personnel, noting that he and his team had hired nearly 4,000 “America First Patriots” across every department of the federal government “in record time,” filling over 95% of posts.“Sergio is a great friend, who has been at my side for many years,” Trump wrote. “He worked on my historic presidential campaigns, published my best-selling books, and ran one of the biggest Super PACs, which supported our movement. Sergio’s role as Director of Presidential Personnel has been essential to delivering on the unprecedented mandate that we received from the American people.”“For the most populous region in the world, it is important that I have someone I can fully trust to deliver on my agenda and help us make America great again. Sergio will make an incredible Ambassador. Congratulations Sergio!”Gor will remain in his White House role until the Senate confirmation process is completed. If confirmed, he will take up one of the most strategically important diplomatic posts at a time when trade and diplomatic tensions between the U.S. and India have escalated.Born in Tashkent in 1986, Gor moved with his family to Malta as a child and attended De La Salle College in Cospicua before relocating to the United States. Over the years, he has maintained connections to the island and frequently acknowledged the formative role Malta played in his early life.In recent months, U.S.–India relations have come under strain: the Trump administration imposed tariffs of up to 50% on imports from India, citing India’s continued purchasing of discounted Russian oil, among other issues. India has criticized the moves as unfair and inconsistent with its national interests. At the same time, both countries have continued negotiation efforts, with Trump saying that trade barrier discussions are ongoing and expressing hope for a mutually favourable deal.•