WASHINGTON– India’s Ambassador to the United States, Vinay Kwatra, met with Representative Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, as New Delhi and Washington face escalating trade friction under President Donald Trump.
In a post on X, the House Foreign Affairs Committee Democrats quoted Meeks as reaffirming “Congress’ support for the U.S.-India partnership, which has deepened over the past 25 years, including through the Quad.” He also criticized what he called “Trump’s arbitrary tariffs that threaten this vital relationship” and pledged his commitment to stronger ties.
Ambassador Kwatra, in a separate post, said he briefed Meeks on “recent developments in the bilateral relationship” and discussed trade, energy, the Indo-Pacific, and other shared concerns.
The outreach comes amid Trump’s steep tariff hikes on Indian goods. On August 27, the president doubled duties to 50 percent, citing India’s continued purchase of discounted Russian oil despite the Ukraine conflict. He has branded the U.S.-India trade relationship a “disaster,” accusing New Delhi of imposing high tariffs on American exports and profiting from Russian crude.
Indian officials have rejected those claims, calling the measures “unfair and unjustified.”
Kwatra has been meeting with lawmakers from both parties as tensions mount. Earlier Wednesday, he held a call with Representative Kat Cammack, a Florida Republican, to discuss strengthening ties “based on common values.”
Democrats on the House Foreign Affairs Committee have consistently voiced support for India. In early August, Meeks described Trump’s tariff actions as “tantrums” that could unravel “years of careful work to build a stronger U.S.-India partnership,” urging that disputes be handled “in a mutually respectful way consistent with our democratic values.” (Source: IANS)
