India, Oct. 11 -- US ambassador-designate Sergio Gor met external affairs minister S Jaishankar on Saturday and held talks on bilateral relations amid persisting strains over the trade and tariff policies of the Donald Trump administration that have taken ties to their lowest point in nearly two decades.

Gor, a member of President Donald Trump's inner circle, is in India with deputy secretary for management and resources Michael J Rigas for a six-day visit to meet senior Indian functionaries. Besides Jaishankar, Gor also met foreign secretary Vikram Misri for discussions centred round the bilateral strategic partnership and shared priorities.

The trip by Gor, who is expected to present his credentials and formally take over as the ambas...