US envoy says India ties stay strong despite Indo-Pacific Command rename

Washington,UPDATED: Jun 30, 2026 09:38 IST

US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor on Monday dismissed the controversy over the renaming of the US Indo-Pacific Command, saying the focus should be on the substance of the relationship and not the "name on a letterhead". Speaking at the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum Leadership Summit, he said India continues to hold more military exercises with the US than any other country and that defence engagement between the two sides remains regular.

Gor also rejected suggestions that India-US ties had weakened, saying the relationship remained "on strong footing" across trade, defence and people-to-people links. He said President Donald Trump attached significant importance to ties with India and was committed to expanding cooperation in trade, technology, defence and investment.

His remarks came against the backdrop of a row over the dropping of "Indo" from the Indo-Pacific Command. Established in 1947, the US Pacific Command is among the oldest unified commands of the US and covers an area stretching from the west coast of the US to India's western border. During Trump's first term, it was renamed the Indo-Pacific Command to reflect the growing importance of India in the region. Earlier this month, the US restored its original name.

Referring to the debate, Gor said, "I just want to mention something because a lot of individuals made hay over a name change. I don't care what name is on a letterhead, but look at what the United States is actually doing." He added, "Yes, the name changed; we're still there. India still has more exercises with the United States than any other country by far. Every single month there's something happening, whether it's Indian troops coming here or whether it's US troops going into the region." He also said a delegation of the Indian Navy would be visiting the US in the next two weeks.

On the broader relationship, Gor said online commentary suggesting trouble in ties did not match the facts. "So to all those pundits that sit online and tweet and say, this relationship is in trouble, when you look at the facts of where this relationship stands, whether it's trade, whether it's defence, whether it's the people to people ties, the relationship is on strong footing," he said.

Gor also recalled an occasion when Trump wanted to call Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Miami while attending the Ultimate Fighting Championship bouts. "It was a couple months ago... with the president at UFC in Miami and we're sitting backstage and he said to me, 'Let's call the Prime Minister'," Gor said. "I said, 'Sir, it's 6:00 AM in the morning there (India).' He said, 'He (Modi) will be up. He (Modi) is like me'," he added. Gor said that by the time he managed to speak to a few people in New Delhi, Trump was already on the UFC stage and the call was eventually scheduled for the following day.

According to Gor, the episode reflected the nature of the relationship between Trump and Modi. "The louder message of that story is when you're friends with somebody, not everything has to be scheduled," he said, adding that the president truly considered the Prime Minister a friend. He said Trump's association with Modi went back to his first term and that there were "warm memories of India".

Summing up his remarks, Gor said the US wanted to work "hand in hand" with India and that the next two years would be crucial in shaping the relationship for decades. "These next two years will set the relationship on a path for several decades ahead. So for everyone here who participates in this, think of this as a long-term project. This is not a one year or two year, but what we sow now will continue to sustain us decades ahead," he said.

With PTI Inputs

- Ends