US Congress members said: Long-term relationship with India is a priority
Washington: US lawmakers acknowledged the ongoing trade frictions with India, but stressed that both sides are committed to a long-term strategic and economic partnership, moving beyond short-term disputes over tariffs, visas, and market access.
Speaking at a CSIS event, Representative Ami Bera said that despite occasional tensions, the internal dynamics of the relationship remain strong. “When you talk to the business community, they’re playing the long game here. They understand that,” he said.
Bera recalled his trip to India during a time of heightened friction. “I left on a Friday, landed on a Saturday, and we were grappling with a $100,000 H-1B visa issue… a 50 percent tariff. So there were a lot of friction points,” he said. “But the truth is… they understand that.”
He emphasized that US companies continue to view India as a primary destination for investment. Bera said, “You don’t see American companies making multibillion-dollar investments in Pakistan. That’s happening in India.” Representative Rich McCormick said that economic differences should be viewed from a larger strategic perspective. “We have to make sure there’s balance, that everyone has an equal say,” he said, adding that being completely unified is unrealistic. “It’s not going to be perfectly balanced. Anyone who’s been married understands that.”
McCormick described himself as a pro-trade lawmaker who is skeptical of punitive tariffs. He said, “I’m a fair trade guy. I’m actually a guy who believes that tariffs are against capital growth.”
He argued that economic openness ultimately benefits societies. McCormick, citing his background as an emergency room physician, said, “If you think about what’s good for business, it’s good for people. Moving upward.”
Lawmakers also discussed agriculture, a sensitive issue in US-India trade talks. McCormick highlighted India’s self-reliance. He said, “India… is essentially self-sufficient in agriculture, which is a very good thing for a country with over 1.4 billion people,” adding that niche markets could still grow.
Bera acknowledged India’s political realities. Referring to protests against agricultural policies, he said, “Agriculture is difficult for India… because there are subsistence farmers.”
McCormick said that India’s population and growth trajectory offer long-term benefits. He said, “India is one of the two places in the world where the population is still growing.”
He also highlighted India’s technological efficiency. McCormick said, “They just sent a spaceship to the dark side of the moon for less than $80 million… not billions, millions of dollars.”
Bera said that despite the diplomatic noise, economic engagement has continued. “You still see high-frequency data on trade and investment that still shows a real increase,” he said.
The lawmakers stressed that Congress understands India’s domestic challenges, including its energy needs. McCormick said that buying Russian oil at a discount, while controversial, reflects India’s priorities. “They’re doing this in the best interest of their country so they can grow their economy with cheap energy,” he said.
Despite differences, both lawmakers said the strategic logic of cooperation is strong. “We’re playing the long game,” Bera said.
