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US Congressman Hails India Trade Deal as "Step Forward" Amid Tensions

US Congressman Suhas Subramanyam has welcomed the recently announced US-India trade agreement, calling it a "great step forward" after a period of high tariffs he deemed unsustainable. He criticized the previous administration for damaging relations by imposing what he called avoidable tariffs, which hurt businesses in his home state of Virginia. Subramanyam stated the deal would only partially repair the relationship and that significant damage had already been done. He announced plans to travel to India next week to meet with high-level officials, including the Prime Minister, to discuss expanding cooperation into areas like defense, space, and immigration.

Key Points: US Congressman Calls India Trade Deal a Crucial Step Forward

  • Congressman welcomes new US-India trade deal
  • Criticizes previous administration for "unnecessary" tariffs
  • Deal seen as partial repair to strained bilateral ties
  • Upcoming India trip to discuss broader cooperation
2 min read

US Congressman calls trade deal with India a 'step forward'

US Congressman Suhas Subramanyam welcomes the US-India trade agreement, calling it necessary after unsustainable tariffs strained relations.

"I think it's a great step forward. - Suhas Subramanyam"

Washington, Feb 10

US Congressman Suhas Subramanyam welcomed the India-United States trade deal announced last week, calling it a necessary step after what he described as an unsustainable period of high tariffs that hurt businesses and strained bilateral ties.

"I think it's a great step forward," Subramanyam said when asked about the agreement. "I think the reality is, we were not on a sustainable path by having these high tariffs, and the reality is moving forward, the US and India are inextricably linked in so many ways."

He said lowering tariffs and expanding trade made economic sense for both countries, including for his home state. "We have a lot of businesses in my Commonwealth of Virginia that do business with India, and it was hurting our economy in Virginia," Subramanyam said.

Asked whether the deal would put bilateral relations back on track, Subramanyam said it would help but warned that damage had already been done. "Somewhat. I think this helps," he said.

"Certainly, this administration has hurt US-India relations. That's the reality," Subramanyam added. "This administration knows how to cause a problem and then partially solve it, which is I think what happened here."

Calling the tariff dispute avoidable, he said, "So it was unnecessary to put these tariffs on India and start this fight. I think hopefully moving forward, we can get things back on the right track with the relationship."

Subramanyam said he will travel to India next week to engage directly with Indian leaders and push for broader cooperation beyond trade. "I'm gonna be going to India next week myself to visit high level ministers and hopefully the Prime Minister as well," he said.

He said the visit would focus on several areas of partnership. "One of the things I wanna talk about is not just trade, but also other economic activity and defense and other partnerships as well," Subramanyam said.

The trip, he added, would have "multiple goals," including participation in an upcoming artificial intelligence summit. Subramanyam noted his congressional responsibilities, saying, "I'm on the oversight committee. I'm a subcommittee ranking member on military and foreign affairs."

He said discussions in India would also cover space, education, and immigration issues affecting families with ties to both countries. "Certainly immigration has become an issue as well," Subramanyam said. "A lot of families have family in India, and they're having trouble visiting and getting visas."

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
While the deal is a step forward, the Congressman's criticism of his own administration is telling. It highlights how political posturing often hurts real economic interests. The visa issues he mentioned are a huge pain point for so many families trying to reunite.
P
Priya S
Finally some sense prevails. The high tariffs were hurting businesses on both sides. As someone whose family runs an export business, I can tell you the last few years have been very uncertain. Lowering trade barriers is a win-win for job creation in both countries.
R
Rohit P
I appreciate the forward-looking approach, but let's be cautious. The US has a history of changing its stance based on who is in power. We need a stable, long-term partnership, not one that swings with every election cycle. India must diversify its trade partners too.
M
Michael C
The focus on AI, space, and defense is crucial. These are the areas where India and the US can truly be strategic partners, not just trading goods. Hope the discussions on immigration smooth out the visa process—it's been a nightmare for students and professionals.
K
Kavya N
Good move, but the deal must be fair. We cannot afford to open our markets to subsidized American agricultural products that will hurt our farmers. Our negotiators must ensure the 'Make in India' initiative is not undermined. Trade should be mutually beneficial, not one-sided.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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