Nineteen members of the US Congress, led by Congresswoman Deborah Ross and Congressman Ro Khanna, have urged President Donald Trump to take immediate steps to repair the growing tensions between the United States and India. They asked him to reverse his administration’s recent tariff decisions, which they said have hurt both nations.

"We write as Members of Congress representing districts with large, vibrant Indian-American communities that maintain strong familial, cultural, and economic ties to India. 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 lawmakers wrote in their letter to Trump.

The group noted that in late August 2025, under Trump’s direction, tariffs on Indian goods were raised to as high as 50 per cent. This included a 25 per cent “reciprocal” tariff and another 25 per cent duty added in response to India’s energy purchases from Russia. "These punitive measures have hurt Indian manufacturers while simultaneously raising prices for American consumers and damaging the intricate supply chains that American companies depend on to bring products to market," the letter stated.

They also reminded the President that the US-India trade partnership supports hundreds of thousands of jobs across both nations. "American manufacturers depend on India for key inputs in sectors from semiconductors to health 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," the letter said.

The lawmakers warned that the tariffs are putting these vital ties at risk by raising costs for American families, hurting the global competitiveness of US businesses, and slowing innovation and collaboration. They also expressed concern that these actions could push India closer to countries unfriendly to the US, such as China and Russia.

"This development is particularly concerning in light of India's growing importance as a stabilising force in the Indo-Pacific through its participation in The Quad (in conjunction with the U.S., Australia, and Japan) and its indispensable role as a counterweight to China's growing assertiveness," the lawmakers wrote.

They further stressed that India has become an important defence partner, regularly conducting joint military exercises with US forces and helping maintain security in key maritime routes. "Given the depth and breadth of U.S.–India cooperation – spanning defence, regional security, energy markets, innovation, and supply chain resilience – it is critical that our nation reaffirms its commitment to India."