I was simply blown away: US envoy on Indian firms committing $20 billion in America

At the dedication ceremony of the US Embassy Support Annex Building, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said Indian companies committing $20.5 billion to the US economy reflected strong confidence in America and highlighted the growing strength of India-US ties.

“We are here because we believe that a strong America and a strong India are essential to the world. When I see Indian companies committing $20.5 billion to the US economy, I was simply blown away. I saw confidence in American workers, confidence in the American economy and confidence in the enduring promise of the American dream,” Gor said.

He said the new building, which will house consular operations alongside other embassy offices, would serve as a gateway to America for innovators supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs in US communities and help advance the goal of reaching $500 billion in bilateral trade in the coming years.

Gor also stressed the importance of security and trust in strengthening partnerships. He said consular professionals working in the facility help keep Americans safe overseas through emergency services, passport support and assistance to citizens in times of need.

Referring to the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Gor said the relationship between the two countries remained on solid footing and held “incredible potential ahead.”

The US ambassador also announced that Rubio had extended an invitation on behalf of US President Donald Trump to Prime Minister Modi to visit the White House in the near future. In a post on X, Gor wrote, “News! Secretary Marco Rubio extended an invite on behalf of President Donald Trump, for Prime Minister Modi to visit the White House in the near future!”

Rubio called on Prime Minister Modi on Saturday and held wide-ranging discussions on bilateral cooperation in defence, trade and energy. He also briefed the Prime Minister on Washington’s perspective regarding the situation in West Asia.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the discussions covered defence, strategic technologies, trade and investment, energy security, connectivity, education and people-to-people ties. PM Modi reaffirmed India’s support for peace efforts and called for peaceful resolution of conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy.

Prime Minister Modi asked Rubio to convey his greetings to President Trump and said he looked forward to continued exchanges. In a post on X, Modi said India and the United States would continue working closely for global good.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Security Advisor Ajit Doval, US Ambassador Sergio Gor and US Under Secretary for State Allison Hooker attended the meeting between PM Modi and Rubio.

On arriving in India, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Rubio’s visit would further strengthen the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. Rubio, accompanied by his wife Jeanette D Rubio, Ambassador Sergio Gor and US Principal Deputy Security Advisor Robert Gabriel, arrived in New Delhi after concluding his visit to Kolkata earlier in the day.

Earlier on Saturday, Rubio visited Kolkata and paid tribute to Mother Teresa at the Missionaries of Charity. In a post on X, he praised Mother Teresa’s legacy of compassion and service.

Rubio’s Kolkata visit marked the first trip by a top American diplomat to the city in 14 years and the beginning of his four-day India visit from May 23 to 26. He is expected to travel to Agra, Jaipur and New Delhi during the visit.

The high-level engagements are expected to focus on trade, technology, energy security and defence cooperation between India and the United States. The visit also comes ahead of the upcoming Quad foreign ministers’ meeting scheduled in New Delhi on May 26.

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