A group of US lawmakers, including Indian-American members, wrote to President Donald Trump urging him to “restore” ties with India, claiming that tariffs had pushed the nation closer to China and Russia.A group of 19 Congress members led by Congresswoman Deborah Ross and Congressman Ro Khanna said in a statement on Wednesday: “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.”“At the same, these actions have pushed the Indian government to increase its diplomatic and economic engagement with regimes hostile to the United States, including China and Russia. This development is particularly concerning in light of India’s growing importance as a stabilizing force in the Indo-Pacific through its participation in The Quad (in conjunction with the US, Australia, and Japan) and its indispensable role as a counterweight to China’s growing assertiveness,” the statement said.Last month, Trump had commented on India’s growing proximity to China saying that “we’ve lost India and Russia to deepest, darkest, China.”Pointing out the impact of tariffs on American market, the statement further said, “American manufacturers depend on India for key inputs in sectors from semiconductors to heath care, energy and more. American firms investing in India also gain access to one of the fastest-growing consumer markets in the world, while Indian companies have invested billions of dollars here in America, helping to create new jobs and opportunities in the communities we represent.““This indiscriminate tariff escalation jeopardizes these ties, raising costs for American families, undermining the ability of American companies to compete globally, and undercutting ground-breaking innovation and cooperation,” it said.The US imposed 50% tariffs on India, highest in the world, over its continued purchase of Russian oil. Meanwhile, India has defended its stance saying that the decision was driven by market forces.
