Washington: Sergio Gor, the newly appointed United States envoy-designate to India, has declared that one of his top priorities will be to ensure that India reduces its strategic and economic reliance on China.
In public remarks, Gor emphasized that the evolving global order demands that countries like India diversify supply chains, strengthen alliances with democracies, and avoid over-dependence on any single power—particularly China. Such shifts, he argued, are essential to preserving both regional stability and economic resilience.
While Gor acknowledged the importance of maintaining relations with all major global players, including China, he stressed that the imbalance—where India sources critical goods, technology, or investment heavily from one country—poses risks. He expressed confidence that deeper cooperation between India and the United States could open up alternatives in trade, technology transfer, infrastructure development, and defense partnerships.
Analysts say this stance aligns with broader US policy moves under current administration to counter China’s expanding influence in the Indo-Pacific region. India has, in recent years, moved gradually toward this direction—diversifying imports, investing in domestic manufacturing, and engaging more intently with other partners like Japan, Australia, and the Quad.
However, some observers caution that shifting away from China will be challenging. India’s interlinked trade relationships, geographic proximity, and established supply chains mean that change must be gradual and must not jeopardize national interests or economic growth.
As Gor prepares to assume his role, attention will be on how the US and Indian governments negotiate this proposed rebalancing. The envoy-designate has indicated he will engage with both government and private sectors to identify areas where dependency is high and where shared investment can provide viable alternatives.
