India an Indispensable Link in Global Automotive Supply Chain: US Ambassador

India has become an indispensable link in the global automotive supply chain, U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said on Wednesday, highlighting the growing role of the country's auto component industry in global manufacturing.

Addressing the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India's annual session, Gor said India's auto component industry has strengthened its position internationally through trade, technology upgrades and expanding links with overseas markets.

"Your work connecting Indian manufacturers to international trade fairs and overseas markets has positioned India as an indispensable link in the global automotive supply chain," Gor said.

He said the US and India are increasingly working together in the automotive sector and are moving beyond simply trading components.

"When the global automotive industry moves, U.S.-India cooperation is the engine under that hood. We are no longer just shipping components across oceans. We are co-designing the future of mobility together," Gor said.

The ambassador said supply chain resilience is becoming increasingly important as industries around the world faced disruptions.

"Supply chain resilience is not an abstract policy goal. It means ensuring that when disruption hits, American and Indian industries adapt together, diversify, and keep production moving," he said.

India's auto component industry was already proving itself to be a reliable and increasingly sophisticated partner in this effort, he added.

Gor pointed to the growing presence of American companies in India's automotive manufacturing sector, including Ford, Cummins, BorgWarner, Tenneco and Dana.

Ford recently announced a $370 million investment to retool its Chennai facility to produce next-generation engines for global markets, he said.

He also highlighted the long-standing partnership between Meritor and Bharat Forge, which created Automotive Axles Limited in Mysore, as well as John Deere's manufacturing plant and technology centre in Pune.

"The US is not just a customer of India's industrial success. We are an active partner in its speed and scale. This is Indian capital, American manufacturing, and shared prosperity in action," Gor said.

He also called for fair market access for companies in both countries as their governments work on the details of their trade relationship.

American suppliers and technology should be able to access the Indian market, while Indian companies should be able to compete fairly in the US, he said.

Gor urged Indian auto component manufacturers to consider expanding their operations in the United States, including through manufacturing plants, research centres and distribution networks.

"For Indian business leaders, America is more than just a market for your parts. It is the ultimate launch pad for your global expansion," he said.