Sergio Gore, US Ambassador to India, met Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla and Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh in Imphal on Friday.
“Appreciated the opportunity to meet with the Governor of Manipur Ajay Kumar Bhalla. We discussed the importance of continued US-India engagement,” Gore wrote after the meeting.
Grateful for the opportunity to meet Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla @BhallaAjay26. We discussed the importance of continued US-India engagement. @LokBhavManipur pic.twitter.com/gGkQfzcyCq
— Ambassador Sergio Gore (@USAmbIndia), September 11, 2026
“It was good to hear from the Chief Minister about his vision for Manipur. We exchanged ideas on how the US and India can work together to expand economic ties. The Chief Minister very kindly invited me again to the Manipur Sangay festival,” he added.
I was pleased to hear from Chief Minister @YKhemchandSingh his vision for Manipur. We exchanged ideas on how the US and India can work together to expand economic ties. The Chief Minister very kindly invited me again to the Manipur Sangay festival. pic.twitter.com/rsntLQ7Uj8
— Ambassador Sergio Gore (@USAmbIndia), September 11, 2026
Earlier in the day, Gore visited the historic Kangla Fort, which served as the ancient political and cultural center of the erstwhile kingdom of Manipur, as well as the iconic women-ruled Kwairamband Ema Keitel.
“During the meeting, Sergio Gore said that Manipur is a stunning place of stunning beauty. He is very happy that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is focusing on the development of Northeast India, which is good for a diverse country like India,” the Manipur government said in a statement.
The US Ambassador will spend the night in the capital, Manipur government sources told NDTV.
Gore visited Darjeeling on Thursday on the personal invitation of Rajya Sabha MP, former foreign minister and former Indian ambassador to the US Harsh Vardhan Shringla.
“When I first came to India, one of the first people to greet me warmly was @harshvshringla. He also invited me to visit his home and constituency in Darjeeling. Today I finally got the chance to spend a day with him in one of the most beautiful parts of the country. If you have never been, add this to your list – the people are warm, the history is wonderful, the scenery is stunning and the food is unforgettable. I promise I will be back,” Gore wrote.
When I first came to India, one of the first people to give me a warm welcome was @harshvshringla. He also invited me to visit his home and constituency in Darjeeling. Today I finally had the opportunity to spend the day with him in one of the most beautiful parts of the country. If… pic.twitter.com/lUCVpe1jRh
— Ambassador Sergio Gore (@USAmbIndia), September 10, 2026
The US Ambassador also immersed himself in the rich heritage of the region at one of the oldest tea gardens in the hills.
Nice to be in Darjeeling! My visit began with one of the region’s most iconic traditions – a stop at the historic @MakaibariTea Estate and, of course, a cup of world famous Darjeeling tea. pic.twitter.com/ZQhkf1HzC5
— Ambassador Sergio Gore (@USAmbIndia), September 9, 2026
Sharing a photo of the lush plantation, Ambassador Gore wrote: “Nice to be in Darjeeling! My visit began with one of the region’s most iconic traditions – a stop at the historic @MakaibariTea Estate and, of course, a cup of world famous Darjeeling tea.”