In the contentious atmosphere of today’s world, it is — or should be — obvious to even the least politically-astute person that the president of any country must possess, at a bare minimum, a knowledge of world history and culture, an understanding of international diplomacy, a cadre of expert advisors, and a willingness to follow (or at least consider) the guidance of those advisors.

It is — or should be — equally obvious that Donald Trump possesses none of the above.

Case in point: His appointment of Sergio Gor to the dual, and potentially conflicting, posts of U.S. Ambassador to India and special envoy to South and Central Asia — a region defined by the U.S. Department of State as including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. [2001-2009.state.gov]

I’ve already covered Gor’s obscure personal history and his total lack of experience or training in a previous article [8/31/25: Mr. Gorokhovsky Goes to India]. Since the announcement of his appointment a few days ago, it has become clear that the Indian government may have its own concerns over the deployment to their country of Trump’s “great friend.” [Cherylann Mollan, BBC News, August 31, 2025.]

While some have said that having a trusted Trump aide in Delhi might be helpful to maintaining close ties between the two countries, others have pointed out that Gor’s dual role would include his involvement in U.S. relations with Pakistan . . . a definite conflict from India’s point of view.

Alyssa Ayres of the Council on Foreign Relations has said:

“The special envoy’s additional designation will likely create some challenges, at least in India. India typically prefers not to be ‘hyphenated’ with Pakistan.” [Id.]

And Lawrence Haas, senior fellow at the American Foreign Policy Council, said that it might also appear to India that Trump doesn’t feel the role of Ambassador to their country is necessarily a full-time job:

“I imagine that India’s leaders will feel slighted and insulted, which will further strain US-India relations.” [Id.]

Haas added that Gor’s lack of diplomatic experience might exacerbate the already strained relationship between the U.S. and India, and that Trump should have chosen someone better able to facilitate improved relations:

“Instead, I suspect that Delhi will interpret this appointment as a slap in the face and further evidence that Trump doesn’t care about the relationship.” [Id.]

If Haas is correct, and Trump does indeed intend to belittle India’s importance in the South/Central Asia region, he may be making a grave miscalculation. Certainly, India does not have the clout of Russia or China. But it does possess an estimated 180 nuclear warheads; it has a population of about 1.5 billion people; and it is — along with Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa — a founding member of BRICS, whose avowed raison d’être is to create a “new world order” to overtake and displace the long-standing political and economic dominance of the United States and Europe.

Which begs the questions:

> Should the U.S. Ambassador to India also serve as special envoy to the nations of South and Central Asia?

> By appointing someone as young and unqualified as Gor to the dual roles of Ambassador and special envoy, would Trump actually be demeaning India? And, if so . . .

> Would Trump — whether intentionally or otherwise — end up strengthening India’s ties with Russia and China, and furthering the goals of the BRICS alliance?

International relations are incredibly complex, and require people with an intimate knowledge, not only of the political histories of other nations, but also a deep sensitivity to their ethnic, religious and social mores. What we need are trained, experienced foreign policy experts and diplomats . . . not deal-making businessmen.

Is it likely that Sergio Gor is the right person to fill that role on behalf of the United States?

Or, for that matter, is there one single individual in the entire Trump administration who is?

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
9/2/25