US mission in India tops global investment push

Washington, June 30 (IANS) The US Embassy in New Delhi has attracted $20.5 billion in new investments into the United States this year, making it the top-performing American diplomatic mission globally in promoting investment, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said.

Speaking at the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) Leadership Summit, Gor said the achievement reflected growing confidence among American companies in India and the strengthening economic relationship between the two countries.

“One thing that I’m proud of is all the embassies compete,” Gor said.

“Our embassy New Delhi this year… we were very proud to announce that we brought in $20.5 billion in new investments. And that put us in first place by far.”

“So it’s an incredible gratifying thing.”

The ambassador said India’s emergence as a trusted investment destination had played a significant role in that performance.

“When an American company comes to see me and they ask, ‘Ambassador, is it safe to invest? Will our IP be protected here? Or will the laws change next month? Is the tax system here safe or is someone gonna come and shake us down in six months?'”

“It’s an incredibly gratifying thing to say the United States trusts India, we work with India.”

Gor said the embassy had adopted a results-oriented approach to commercial diplomacy, focusing on generating tangible economic outcomes rather than simply facilitating meetings.

“I’ve been in India now six months, and we’ve seen some incredible things happen.”

“As President Trump likes to say, we’re results driven.”

“I did not go to India to sit at receptions. I went over there to be able to increase this partnership that is so vitally important to both of our sides.”

He said the embassy remained accessible to businesses seeking assistance with investments and commercial opportunities.

“Our embassy’s open to you.”

“Please come visit us. Please let us know how we can help you.”

Gor encouraged companies facing regulatory or bureaucratic hurdles to approach the embassy directly.

“If we can help you in any way to get something across the finish line, sometimes things get caught in bureaucracy, as you know, on both sides.”

“If we can somehow jump that and bring it to the right person’s attention, please call on us.”

“You will find an open embassy and a very receptive embassy to you.”

The ambassador said the Trump administration viewed economic diplomacy as a key component of US foreign policy and that President Donald Trump remained personally engaged in supporting American companies abroad.

“There’s no deal that is too small.”

“If it creates a job in the United States… the president will pick up the phone and call on that company’s behalf.”

“And that’s something that’s extremely proactive that we’ve never seen on either side of any political party.”

Gor said the United States was committed to expanding commercial ties with India across sectors ranging from technology and defence to aviation and manufacturing, describing the bilateral relationship as one built on trust and shared opportunity.

Commercial diplomacy has become an increasingly important pillar of the India-US strategic partnership, alongside defence, technology and energy cooperation.

–IANS

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