Tensions in India-US relations have escalated due to Trump's new tariff policies and diplomatic missteps. Democratic lawmakers have warned that this could jeopardize 25 years of hard work. An emergency call was convened.
India-US Relations: The new tariff policies and certain diplomatic decisions by US President Donald Trump have created serious tension in India-US relations. This tension has risen to such an extent that many former diplomats and Democratic lawmakers in the US have been compelled to hold an emergency discussion on the matter. They have warned that if these circumstances are not rectified in time, the bilateral partnership, built over 25 years of hard work between the two countries, will be severely impacted.
Organization of an Emergency Conference Call
To express concern over the state of India-US relations, Co-Chair of the Congressional India Caucus and Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna organized an emergency conference call. Several former US ambassadors, industrialists, and Indian-origin tech leaders participated in this call.
Statement by Ro Khanna
Congressman Ro Khanna stated clearly that he only convenes such calls when the matter is serious. He emphasized the necessity of raising an alarm to prevent the decline in India-US relations. Khanna had previously expressed this concern in a video on the social media platform X, stating that cooperation between the two countries was weakening due to Trump's policies.
Reactions from Former Ambassadors and Industrialists
Former ambassadors Rich Verma and Eric Garcetti, who participated in this call, also expressed concern over the deterioration of India-US relations. Rich Verma stated that Trump's policies in the last two months have undone 25 years of hard work. He added that this is not just a trade or diplomatic issue but also impacts people's mutual trust, defense cooperation, clean energy, and technology partnerships.
Bill Clinton's Visit to India
Former ambassadors referred to the visit of then-US President Bill Clinton to India in 2000. At that time, the US had decided to decouple its India-Pakistan policy. This step laid the foundation for cooperation between the two countries in areas such as trade, defense, education, and science. Verma and other experts opine that Trump's policies pose a threat to this 25-year-old bilateral foundation.
Impact of Tariff Policies
Tariff and trade policies have created uncertainty in the India-US partnership. Industrialists have stated that the trust of American investors has weakened due to Trump's policies, and Indian companies are also facing unexpected duties and barriers. Such an environment is proving detrimental to the trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.
Restlessness in the Indian-American Community
Indian-American industrialists and tech leaders participating in the emergency call also expressed their concerns. They stated that the strategic partnership between India and the US is based not only on governments but also on the trust between the citizens, students, and industries of both countries. If this trust weakens, it will harm bilateral cooperation in the long run.
