India and the US continue to strengthen their relationship through active discussions and high-level meetings. India’s Ambassador to the United States, Vinay Kwatra, recently met with several US Congress members to talk about key areas like trade, energy, and national security.
During his meeting with Congressman Rudy Yakym, Kwatra praised the US lawmaker’s support for India-US ties. “Our conversation focused on trade cooperation and our growing energy partnership, which is vital for India’s energy security,” Kwatra shared on social media. He expressed appreciation for Yakym’s backing, highlighting the importance of strong bilateral relations.
This meeting is part of a series of important talks Kwatra has had recently with US lawmakers from both the Democratic and Republican parties. Just the day before, he met with Congressman Blake Moore, who is a leader in the Republican Party. They discussed trade between India and the US and how both countries can work closer together.
Kwatra also met with US Representative Mike Kelly, who heads the Subcommittee on Taxation. During their chat, he thanked Kelly for supporting India-US trade ties and talked about India’s increasing energy imports from the US, especially in oil and gas, which are crucial for India’s energy needs.
Another key meeting was with US Representative Carol Miller, Chair of the Congressional Energy Export Caucus. Kwatra briefed her on India’s energy security and emphasized the importance of US-India cooperation in hydrocarbons. He also took the opportunity to mention India’s support for diplomatic efforts, including discussions like the Alaska Summit between US and Russian leaders, aimed at resolving conflicts such as the Ukraine war.
On a previous day, Kwatra met with Congressman Gregory Meeks, a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. They discussed the strong partnership between India and the US, which has grown over the past 25 years, including projects like the Quad. However, Meeks also raised concerns about recent US tariffs on Indian imports, which threaten this important relationship. He emphasized his support for deepening ties despite these challenges.
The US recently imposed new tariffs on Indian goods. On August 27, President Trump announced a 50% tariff on Indian imports, doubling previous rates, mainly because India continues to buy Russian oil despite sanctions linked to the Ukraine conflict. India responded strongly, calling the tariffs unfair and arguing that such measures threaten India’s energy security and strategic independence.
Overall, these meetings show that India and the US are committed to working together on trade, energy, and regional security issues. Both countries aim to build a stronger partnership grounded in mutual interests and cooperation.
