19 US Lawmakers Urge President Trump to “Reset and Repair” Critical India-US Partnership

Washington, Oct 2025 : Nineteen US lawmakers on Wednesday wrote to President Donald Trump, urging him to “reset and repair” the critical India–US partnership, which they said has been strained by recent trade policies.

The letter, co-signed by several prominent Democratic leaders — including Deborah Ross, Ro Khanna, Brad Sherman, Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Raja Krishnamoorthi, and Pramila Jayapal — reflected growing concern within the US Congress over deteriorating economic relations with India. Notably, no Republican lawmakers joined the appeal.

The lawmakers expressed alarm that the Trump administration’s steep tariff hikes — which raised duties on Indian goods to as high as 50 percent — have undermined bilateral relations while hurting both American consumers and manufacturers.

“We write as Members of Congress representing districts with large, vibrant Indian-American communities that maintain strong familial, cultural, and economic ties to India,” the letter stated. “Recent actions by your administration have strained relations with the world’s largest democracy, creating negative consequences for both countries. We urge you to take immediate steps to reset and repair this critical partnership.”

The Congress members called on the President to review his tariff policy and resume constructive dialogue with Indian leadership, emphasizing that “the path forward demands recalibration, not confrontation.”

According to the lawmakers, the 50 percent tariffs have not only raised prices for American consumers but also disrupted supply chains that US companies rely on to deliver products to market. They described the India–US trade relationship as “exceptionally important,” supporting “hundreds of thousands of jobs in both countries.”

“American manufacturers depend on India for key inputs across sectors such as semiconductors, healthcare, energy, and more. Likewise, American firms investing in India gain access to one of the fastest-growing consumer markets in the world,” the letter noted. “At the same time, Indian companies have invested billions of dollars in the United States, creating new jobs and opportunities in the communities we represent.”

The lawmakers cautioned that “indiscriminate tariff escalation” threatens to unravel these economic linkages, raising costs for American families, undermining the competitiveness of US firms globally, and impeding innovation and cooperation between the two democracies.

The letter also warned that the Trump administration’s confrontational stance has driven India to expand its diplomatic and economic engagements with Russia and China. The lawmakers highlighted New Delhi’s “indispensable role as a counterweight to China’s growing assertiveness” in the Indo-Pacific region.

“This development is particularly concerning in light of India’s growing importance as a stabilizing force through its participation in the Quad (alongside the US, Australia, and Japan),” the lawmakers wrote. “India has become a vital defense partner, conducting joint military exercises with US forces and working closely with America and its allies to secure vital maritime routes.”

Underscoring shared democratic values, the lawmakers reminded President Trump that India and the US “share democratic traditions that set us apart from our authoritarian competitors.” They urged the President to reaffirm America’s long-standing commitment to India.

“Our partnership demonstrates to the world that free and open societies can prosper through cooperation and mutual respect,” the letter concluded. “Given the depth and breadth of US–India cooperation — spanning defense, regional security, energy, innovation, and supply chain resilience — it is critical that our nation reaffirm its commitment to India.”