Washington DC: India’s ambassador to the US Vinay Mohan Kwatra held “productive and detailed” discussions with American Congressmen Joe Courtney and Gabe Amo on economic cooperation, highlighting the need for “fair, balanced and mutually beneficial trade ties.”
These discussions were held with the backdrop of ongoing tariff tensions between the two countries over US president Donald Trump’s imposition of additional tariffs on India, apparently due to New Delhi’s purchase of Russian oil.
Kwatra shared a series of messages on X on Sunday, highlighting the interactions.
“Had a detailed conversation with @RepJoeCourtney, Ranking Member of Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces. Thanked him for his support to our bilateral partnership. Highlighted our perspectives on trade and economic cooperation, including the need for fair, balanced and mutually beneficial trade ties,” the ambassador wrote.
“Had a productive discussion with @RepGabeAmo, Vice Ranking Member of @HouseForeign. Thanked him for his support to the India-US bilateral partnership. Also shared perspectives on the importance of fair, balanced and mutually beneficial trade engagements,” he said in another post.
On Friday, Kwatra held talks with Michigan’s lawmaker Haley Stevens on India-US bilateral economic partnership amid economic concerns over Trump’s decision.
Kwatra also apprised her of India’s hydrocarbon purchases from the US.
“Had a useful conversation with Haley Stevens, Ranking Member Research and Technology Subcommittee. We discussed the US-India bilateral economic partnership, including our fair and balanced trade engagement. Apprised her of India’s significant hydrocarbon purchases from the U.S. as an important component of India’s energy security. Thanked her for her steadfast support of the relationship,” he posted.
The Indian ambassador also held discussions with lawmaker Claudia Tenney on US-India bilateral relations, during which he highlighted India’s hydrocarbon purchases and their impact on India’s energy security.
“Had an in-depth conversation with Claudia Tenney. We discussed US-India bilateral relations and the importance of fair and balanced trade ties. Highlighted India’s growing hydrocarbon purchases from the US as an important component of India’s energy security,” Kwatra said.
These outreach efforts are important after the US’s continuing attack on India on the subject of Russian oil. On Thursday, White House trade adviser Peter Navarro claimed India was “perpetuating” the Ukraine War by purchasing discounted Russian crude oil. Navarro had alleged that India has been acting as a “laundromat for the Kremlin”, while allowing its oil companies to reap profits.