WASHINGTON– Indian Ambassador to the United States Vinay Kwatra continued his diplomatic outreach in Washington this week, meeting with top Republican and defense officials as India and the U.S. look to deepen strategic ties across economic, defense, and energy sectors.
On Friday, Kwatra met House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, who extended birthday wishes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “We discussed the many positive developments in ties in economic, defence, and energy sectors, further strengthening the bilateral strategic partnership,” Kwatra wrote on X after the meeting.
The discussions followed his Thursday meeting with Rep. John Moolenaar, Chairman of the House Select Committee on China. According to the committee, talks focused on regional security, trade, and efforts to shift critical manufacturing away from China and toward India.
Moolenaar described India as “the world’s largest democracy and an essential partner for global stability,” adding that New Delhi plays a key role in countering Chinese Communist Party (CCP) aggression. “India is a major U.S. security partner with an increasingly close defense industrial relationship that helps protect the American people,” he said. He also noted India’s role in resisting CCP-linked technology and social media influence.
Earlier in the week, Kwatra met with Elbridge Colby, former Undersecretary of War for Policy in the Trump administration. The ambassador called it a “productive conversation” about advancing defense initiatives. Colby echoed that sentiment, saying the Pentagon values its deepening cooperation with India.
Kwatra’s meetings come as trade talks between the two countries gain momentum, following President Donald Trump’s birthday call to Prime Minister Modi earlier this week. While on a state visit to the United Kingdom, Trump underscored the strength of his relationship with Modi, telling reporters: “I’m very close to India. I’m very close to the Prime Minister of India. The other day, wished him a happy birthday. We have a very good relationship.”
The ambassador’s string of engagements reflects both Washington and New Delhi’s push to solidify their strategic partnership as global competition with China intensifies. (Source: IANS)
