WASHINGTON — India’s Ambassador to the United States Vinay Kwatra met with several Republican congressional leaders this week, promoting deeper India–U.S. commercial ties and ongoing negotiations toward a potential trade agreement.
Kwatra said he held “engaging, productive conversations on a fair, balanced and mutually beneficial India–U.S. trade partnership” with senior members of the House Ways and Means Committee, the chamber’s key tax and trade panel.
On Thursday, the ambassador met with Vern Buchanan, Vice Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. In a post on X, Kwatra said they discussed strengthening trade and defense cooperation, expanding collaboration in oil and gas, and identifying new opportunities in the technology and innovation sectors. He thanked Buchanan for his “consistent support to the relationship.”
Kwatra also met Trade Subcommittee Chair Adrian Smith, noting his appreciation for Smith’s leadership on advancing the trade pillar of the bilateral partnership. In a separate meeting with Blake Moore, Vice Chair of the House Republican Conference, Kwatra briefed him on “ongoing India–U.S. trade talks and other key areas of bilateral collaboration.”
Earlier in the week, the ambassador met with Jason Smith, Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. Kwatra wrote that he briefed the chairman on discussions aimed at achieving “a fair, balanced and mutually beneficial trade deal,” and welcomed Smith’s support for stronger economic ties.
Kwatra also participated in a roundtable at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative Washington think tank known for its close alignment with priorities of the Trump administration. He described the session as an “excellent” exchange on shared economic priorities, energy cooperation and the broader strategic partnership.
The ambassador has increased his outreach in recent months, meeting with lawmakers, policy analysts and key stakeholders as India and the United States work to finalise the first tranche of a trade agreement. (Source: IANS)
