US Ambassador Sergio Gor Visits Manipur, Meets Governor and Chief Minister

US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor met Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla and Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh in Imphal on Friday, holding separate discussions on bilateral engagement and economic cooperation.

After his meeting with the Governor, Gor said he appreciated the opportunity and that the two discussed the importance of continued US-India engagement.

In his talks with the Chief Minister, the Ambassador said he heard Singh's vision for Manipur and that they exchanged ideas on how the two countries could work together to expand economic ties. Singh extended an invitation to Gor to return for the Manipur Sangai Festival.

Earlier in the day, the US envoy visited the historic Kangla Fort, the ancient political and cultural centre of the erstwhile Manipur kingdom, as well as the iconic women-run Khwairamband Ema Keithel. He was scheduled to spend the night in the state capital.

The Manipur leg of the visit followed a trip to Darjeeling on Thursday, made at the personal invitation of Rajya Sabha MP and former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, who previously served as India's Ambassador to the US. Gor said Shringla had been among the first to welcome him on his arrival in India and had invited him to visit his home and constituency.

During his time in the hills, the Ambassador stopped at the Makaibari Tea Estate, one of the region's oldest tea gardens, where he sampled Darjeeling tea. He described the people as warm, the history as remarkable and the landscapes as stunning, adding that he hoped to return.