US President Donald Trump has recently appointed three Indian-Americans to key roles in his administration for his second term. Ricky Gill, Saurabh Sharma, and Kush Desai will all play important roles in shaping policy and communications in the White House.
Ricky Gill, a seasoned expert in international relations, will be taking on the role of Senior Director for South and Central Asia at the National Security Council (NSC). With previous experience as the Director for Russia and European Energy Security during Trump’s first term, Gill brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his new position. After leaving the administration, Gill led Gill Capital Group and advised on energy issues for TC Energy. Born in Lodi, New Jersey, Gill holds degrees from Princeton University and the University of California, Berkeley.
Saurabh Sharma, hailing from Bengaluru, will be working in the Presidential Personnel Office, focusing on staffing and appointments. Sharma previously served as the President of American Moment, a conservative organization dedicated to personnel development. With a degree in Biochemistry from the University of Texas at Austin, Sharma has a strong background in advocacy and policy.
Kush Desai, a skilled communicator, will be stepping into the role of Deputy Press Secretary in the White House’s communications team. Desai has worked in various key roles in Republican campaigns and organizations, including as Deputy Communications Director for the 2024 Republican National Convention and Communications Director for the Republican Party of Iowa. His experience in shaping messaging in critical battleground states will be invaluable in his new position.
These three Indian-Americans bring a diverse set of skills and experiences to their roles in the Trump administration, and their appointments underscore the importance of diversity and inclusion in shaping policy and communications at the highest levels of government. Their contributions will undoubtedly play a key role in the administration’s efforts to address pressing issues both domestically and internationally.
