US lawmakers back stronger India-US ties, highlight trade deal challenges
Washington DC, June 24
Several US lawmakers on Tuesday underscored the importance of the India-US relationship, in the backdrop of the ongoing bilateral interim trade agreement negotiations, while offering varied views on tariffs and strategic cooperation.
Speaking to ANI, on the ongoing India-US trade deal negotiations, Kansas Senator Roger Marshall pointed to existing challenges but expressed optimism about future opportunities. "There are some challenges when it comes to the trade agreement. There's a USD 50 billion imbalance between the two countries... There's some work to be done. I'm optimistic for opportunities like ethanol... For years, India has built up walls and tariffs for American goods coming into India. So if you want us to buy the products you're making, frankly, then we hope that you will return that trade back to us as well," he said.
Despite trade differences, Marshall strongly backed closer ties between the two countries, saying, "I couldn't be more excited about the relationship between India and America. We share so many of the same values...Then you throw on top of that that we're both democracies and we want a free world. We have this opportunity to stick together in so many ways. Sure, there's friction. There's always going to be friction, just like a family has friction."
Speaking to ANI, Congressman Suhas Subramanyam stressed the need to reinvigorate bilateral engagement, saying, "This administration has been very harmful to the US-India relationship. And so now we're trying to re-engage and recommit to that relationship. It's one of the most important relationships in the world."
He added, "We need to make sure that the US and India are on the same page when it comes to countering terrorism, when it comes to economic gains and economic trade. We also need to make sure that as we look to counter China, India is a partner in that and try to normalise relationships there."
Speaking to ANI, Congressman Brad Sherman, commenting on trade, called for a return to normal economic ties between the two countries. "This administration began with the crippling tariffs, and I hope very much that we can restore normal trade relations between the United States and India. It's important for both economies, and it's important for our geostrategic relationship," he said.
Addressing concerns over anti-immigrant sentiment, Sherman remarked, "There are certain elements of the MAGA community that are just anti-everybody. That includes Indo Americans. We've dealt with xenophobia in our country, but this is the most welcoming country in the world over the last 250 years, and every immigrant group has faced some degree of discrimination..."
Speaking to ANI, on the India-US trade deal, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi criticised the administration's tariff policy, saying, "President Trump has unnecessarily picked trade wars with a number of our friends, partners and allies... The net result is higher prices for Americans. As long as these trade wars and blanket tariffs are in place, we're basically going to be cutting off our nose to spite our face."
He also condemned recent incidents targeting Indian-Americans and other minority communities in the US. "We saw that in Texas, where a group of white supremacists got in front of the city hall and tore up an Indian flag and told people who hail from India to go back. They said that there's a Hindu takeover of Texas. They've spouted all kinds of other nonsensical rhetoric. We have to stand up against prejudice toward anybody... We have to make sure that everyone understands that it is un-American, has no place in America," he said.
Meanwhile, US Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Bethany Poulos Morrison said that Washington is "very, very close" to concluding the historic trade agreement with India.
Speaking at an event, Morrison said, "Looking at trade, in February 2026, we announced the intention to finally conclude the historic trade deal. We are very, very close."
She added that the proposed agreement would open India's market of 1.4 billion people to American goods on "reciprocal and mutually beneficial" terms.
"This is going to open India's market of 1.4 billion to America's goods on terms that are reciprocal and mutually beneficial. The administration is driving towards the goal of Mission 500, 500 billion in trade by 2030, with a real sense of urgency," she said, referring to the broader trade target between the two countries.
Earlier on Tuesday, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal met in New Delhi to advance negotiations on the Interim Agreement, originally launched by President Trump and Prime Minister Modi.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Interesting to hear Congressman Suhas Subramanyam say the administration has been harmful to the US-India relationship. That's a strong statement. I think both countries need to work on counter-terrorism and economic cooperation, especially given China's growing influence. But we should also remember that India has its own strategic interests and doesn't want to be just a pawn in US-China rivalry. Mutual respect is key.
Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi is absolutely right—blanket tariffs are hurting everyone. Trump's trade wars with allies were short-sighted. India has its own tariffs, sure, but we've been negotiating in good faith. The idea of reaching $500 billion in trade by 2030 sounds ambitious, but we need to see real commitment from both sides. Also, the xenophobia against Indian-Americans is deeply concerning. We need to stand together against such hate.
I wish the article had mentioned what specific goods India wants to export to the US under the trade deal. Our IT services, pharmaceuticals, and textiles are world-class. The ethanol opportunity is good, but we also need market access for our agricultural products. Senator Marshall complained about Indian tariffs, but the US has its own protectionist measures too, like on steel and aluminum. Both sides need to give a little. Let's hope this deal doesn't end up like the RCEP—too many promises, too little action.
Good to see both sides engaging constructively. The fact that officials from both countries are meeting and talking about a deal shows maturity. India has historically been wary of trade agreements (remember the WTO standoffs?), but the Modi government has been more open recently. I'm cautiously optimistic. The $500 billion target is huge, but we need to address the visa and services issues too—Indian professionals still face barriers in the US. A balanced deal will benefit both
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.