India can't avoid global responsibility: US Congressman
Washington, May 19
US Congressman Ro Khanna said India must increasingly act like a global power and take on greater international responsibilities as it rises economically and strategically on the world stage.
Speaking at the Capitol Hill Summit 2026 organised by the US-India Friendship Council, Khanna said India's growing influence carried obligations beyond regional politics and economic growth.
"India has to decide who it wants to be as it enters this place of world leadership," Khanna said during a panel discussion on defence, technology and energy cooperation. "You can't say you want to be a world leader, but then shrink away from responsibility."
Khanna specifically pointed to the Ukraine conflict, arguing that India could play a constructive diplomatic role because of its longstanding ties with Russia.
"I've been very vocal in India as well as here that India can play a very constructive role in helping bring the war in Ukraine to an end," he said. "It has lines of communications with Russia."
Noting that India historically sought to maintain a non-aligned position in global affairs, Khanna suggested the geopolitical realities of the 21st century required New Delhi to take clearer positions on international crises.
"India has its own aspirations," Khanna said. "Fastest growing economy in the world. It has to decide who it wants to be."
Despite recent tensions over tariffs and trade policies under President Donald Trump's administration, Khanna said the broader strategic logic of the US-India relationship remained unchanged.
"Nothing fundamentally has changed about our long-term strategic interest," he said.
Khanna argued that both Democrats and Republicans in Congress continued to strongly support closer engagement with India, particularly on defence, technology and Indo-Pacific security cooperation.
At the same time, he criticised what he described as anti-Indian voices within sections of the Trump administration.
"I do think there's folks like Peter Navarro and others inside the administration that are very anti-Indian," Khanna said.
Earlier in the summit, Khanna delivered a broader philosophical defence of a values-based US-India partnership, warning against nationalism and authoritarianism.
"It is what are the values that will undergird the US-India relationship," he said. "Are we going to form an alliance of convenience based on nationalism?"
Khanna called for the two democracies to work together in promoting pluralism, democratic governance and international cooperation.
"We must, as the United States, build a multiracial democracy and work with India as a multiracial democracy," he said.
The congressman also reflected on his own political journey as an Indian American, recalling that he was once told an Indian American of Hindu faith would struggle to win elected office in the United States.
"One of the very few people who would say, 'You keep at it, you keep working, this country will make space for you,' was Swadesh," Khanna said, referring to US-India Friendship Council chairman Swadesh Chatterjee.
Khanna represents California's Silicon Valley-based 17th Congressional District and has emerged as one of the most prominent Indian American voices in Congress on technology, democracy and foreign policy issues.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Ro Khanna makes an interesting point about India's unique position with Russia. We could genuinely help mediate peace in Ukraine given our ties with both sides. But this shouldn't mean abandoning our strategic autonomy. We should engage diplomatically on our own terms, not because America tells us to.
Finally an American politician who gets it! Khanna ji has always been a bridge between our two nations. India IS rising and we need to act like it. The world expects more from us, and rightly so. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳🇺🇸
As an American, I fully support stronger US-India ties. We need reliable democratic partners in the Indo-Pacific. But let's be honest - India also benefits hugely from this relationship. It's a two-way street, not charity. Defense tech, investment, strategic alignment - both sides gain.
Look, I respect Khanna but this is classic American exceptionalism talking. India doesn't need lectures on responsibility while Washington funds wars in Ukraine and Gaza. If the US truly wants India to be a global leader, it should respect our independent foreign policy, not dictate terms.
Interesting to see Ro Khanna mention the anti-Indian elements in the Trump administration. That's a real concern. We need consistent cross-party support in both countries. The US-India partnership is too important to be derailed by trade spats or fringe voices in any administration.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.