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US Congressman Says India-US Ties "Strained" Over Tariffs on Russian Oil

US Congressman Shri Thanedar stated the India-US relationship is currently strained due to hefty tariffs imposed by Washington, primarily in response to India's purchase of Russian oil. He emphasized the need for both nations to build greater friendship and trust to improve the situation. This commentary comes despite recent productive exchanges between US and Indian trade officials on a potential bilateral agreement. Thanedar made these remarks during a personal visit to Karnataka to celebrate his alma mater's centenary.

Key Points: US Congressman: India-US Ties Strained by Tariffs

  • US tariffs strain India-US ties
  • Tariffs linked to India's Russian oil imports
  • Calls for greater friendship and trust
  • Recent trade talks show positive engagement
3 min read

"Strained because of tariff": US Congressman Shri Thanedar on India-US relationship

Indian-origin US Congressman Shri Thanedar cites hefty US tariffs, linked to India's Russian oil purchases, as straining bilateral relations during Karnataka visit.

"The relations between India and the US right now are a little bit strained because of the tariff - US Congressman Shri Thanedar"

Belagavi, December 29

Indian-origin US Congressman Shri Thanedar described the current India-US relationship as "a little bit strained" due to hefty tariffs imposed by Washington on New Delhi, most of which is due to India's purchase of Russian oil, claiming that it fuels Moscow's war purpose in Ukraine.

Speaking to reporters during his personal visit to Karnataka on Sunday, where he was attending the centenary celebrations of the school from which he graduated, the Congressman from Michigan's 13th District emphasised the need for greater friendship and trust between the two nations, noting that trade was not proving beneficial to the relationship between the two nations.

"The relations between India and the US right now are a little bit strained because of the tariff, but those tariffs aren't helping. But India needs to have more friendship with America, and America needs to have more friendship and trust with India and that will help a great deal," Thanedar said.

Earlier in August, Trump imposed a 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods starting August 1, followed by another 25 per cent increase days later, citing India's continued purchase of Russian oil, taking the total to 50 per cent, claiming that it fuels Moscow's war purpose in Ukraine.

Meanwhile, earlier this month, a delegation of US trade officials from the office of the US Trade Representative, led by Deputy US Trade Representative Rick Switzer, visited India, during which both sides had productive exchanges on a wide gamut of items, including the ongoing negotiations for a mutually beneficial India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement, as per sources from the Commerce Ministry.

The sources said that both sides agreed to continue the current purposeful and positive engagements.

The delegation led by Rick Switzer visited India from December 9 to December 11. This was Ambassador Switzer's first trip to India after assuming his current office.

During the visit, Switzer met with Commerce and Industries Minister Piyush Goyal, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal, and other senior Indian officials.

Rajesh Agrawal and Rick Switzer, during their meeting, discussed the trade and economic ties.

The Congressman, who graduated from Chintaman Rao Government Primary and High School in Belagavi in 1969, expressed pride in the school's progress over the years and described the centenary celebrations as a "very proud moment".

"I am here in Belagavi because I graduated from this Chintaman Rao Government Primary and High School in 1969 and I am just proud of the school, the progress the school has made and I am here to celebrate the 100th anniversary of this school and it's a very proud moment," he added.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priyanka N
Respectfully, I think we need to be more pragmatic. While buying Russian oil helps our economy in the short term, the long-term strategic partnership with the US is far more valuable for technology, defense, and global influence. We should find a middle path.
R
Rohit P
These tariffs hurt our small exporters the most. The government should negotiate harder. Why should Indian products be punished for our foreign policy? The US buys oil from other questionable regimes too. Double standards.
S
Sarah B
Interesting to hear an Indian-origin Congressman's perspective. He's right about building trust. The trade delegation visit sounds positive. Hope they can work out a fair deal that doesn't force India to pick sides in every global conflict.
A
Aman W
Proud to see a Belagavi school alumnus on the global stage! 🎓 On the issue, friendship is a two-way street. The US can't just impose rules and expect compliance. We are a sovereign nation, not a satellite state. Jai Hind.
K
Karthik V
The 50% tariff is brutal. It feels like economic coercion. We should diversify our trade partners more aggressively and strengthen ties with Europe, Japan, and other friendly nations to reduce this over-dependence on any single country's mood swings.

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