WASHINGTON– India’s Ambassador to the United States, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, continued his series of meetings with American lawmakers this week, discussing trade, energy security, and the growing hydrocarbon partnership between the two countries.
Kwatra met with Representative Pete Sessions, Chairman of the Congressional Subcommittee on Governmental Operations, calling the exchange a “productive discussion” in which he outlined India’s position on recent developments and stressed the importance of cooperation in energy security.
The envoy also held talks with Representative Marc Veasey, Vice Co-Chair of the India Caucus, highlighting the need for “fair, balanced and mutually beneficial trade” as a foundation for strengthening bilateral ties. In another meeting with Representative Michael Baumgartner, Kwatra discussed New Delhi’s perspective on mutual trade and energy relations, expressing appreciation for Baumgartner’s strong support of the partnership.
These meetings come as trade tensions between Washington and New Delhi escalate. Earlier this month, President Donald Trump announced an additional 25 percent tariff on Indian imports, citing India’s continued purchases of Russian crude oil. The new duties follow a previous 25 percent tariff imposed in July.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs sharply criticized the move, calling it “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable,” while underscoring that India’s strategic autonomy and energy security needs must be respected. (Source: IANS)
