US lawmakers have called on the State Department to make the US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, available for congressional testimony, highlighting the strategic importance of the bilateral relationship and seeking greater oversight.
During a House subcommittee hearing on South and Central Asia, Democratic Ranking Member Sydney Kamlager-Dove asked Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Paul Kapur if he would coordinate with Congress to bring Ambassador Gor before the committee. Kamlager-Dove stressed that, given India’s strategic significance in the Indo-Pacific, it would be essential for Gor to answer questions regarding US priorities and policies in the region.
Kapur praised Gor’s performance, noting that the ambassador has achieved significant outcomes in his relatively short tenure. He also highlighted Gor’s close relationship with the President, stating that Gor enjoys the President’s trust and confidence and works closely with Kapur on policy matters. Despite this, Kapur stopped short of confirming a public appearance before Congress, saying only that he would “discuss this possibility.”
The discussion emphasized India’s pivotal role in US strategy, including counterbalancing China and ensuring maritime security in the Indian Ocean. Lawmakers also highlighted the new US-India trade framework and growing defense cooperation as key areas where direct engagement with the ambassador would provide clarity and accountability.
Kapur reiterated that he and Gor maintain regular coordination, emphasizing the ambassador’s integral role in implementing US policy in the region. While no definitive timeline for testimony was announced, the exchange underscored Congress’s intent to maintain close oversight over US engagement in South Asia’s most significant bilateral relationship.
Over the past twenty years, the US-India partnership has deepened across trade, defense, and technology sectors. As Washington positions India as a central Indo-Pacific partner, congressional scrutiny of diplomatic leadership and policy execution has become increasingly important.
