Washington, Oct 8 (NationPress) Nineteen US lawmakers sent a letter to President Donald Trump on Wednesday, advocating for a 'reset and repair' of the critical partnership between India and the United States. This letter was co-signed by several distinguished Democratic figures, including Deborah Ross, Ro Khanna, Brad Sherman, Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Raja Krishnamoorthi, and Pramila Jayapal. Notably, no Republican lawmakers endorsed this initiative.

The Congress members cautioned that the recent tariff increases implemented by the US President, raising duties on Indian goods to as high as 50 percent, have negatively impacted relations with India, affecting both American consumers and manufacturers.

“We write as Members of Congress representing districts with significant, 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 adverse consequences for both nations. We urge you to take immediate measures to reset and repair this critical partnership,” they stated.

The lawmakers called on Trump to review his tariff strategy and to maintain dialogue with Indian leadership, emphasizing that the way forward requires recalibration, not confrontation.

They noted that the 50 percent tariffs have increased prices for American consumers and harmed the complex supply chains that American companies rely on to deliver products to market.

The lawmakers characterized the India-US trading partnership as exceptionally critical, supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs in both nations.

“American manufacturers depend on India for essential inputs in sectors from semiconductors to healthcare, energy, and more. American firms investing in India also gain access to one of the fastest-growing consumer markets globally, while Indian companies have invested billions of dollars in the United States, fostering new jobs and opportunities in our communities,” they elaborated.

“This indiscriminate tariff escalation endangers these relationships, inflating costs for American families, undermining American companies' ability to compete globally, and stifling groundbreaking innovation and cooperation,” the letter further noted.

The House members also warned that the Trump administration’s aggressive actions have prompted the Indian government to enhance its diplomatic and economic ties with Russia and China, highlighting New Delhi’s indispensable role as a counterbalance to China’s increasing assertiveness.

“This development is particularly alarming given India’s growing significance as a stabilizing force in the Indo-Pacific through its involvement in The Quad (alongside the US, Australia, and Japan). India has emerged as a vital ally in defense cooperation, conducting joint military exercises with US forces and collaborating constructively with America and its allies to secure critical maritime routes,” it emphasized.

The lawmakers noted that India and the US share democratic traditions that distinguish them from authoritarian competitors and urged the President to reaffirm the US commitment to India.

“Our partnership showcases to the world that free and open societies can thrive through cooperation and mutual respect. Given the vast scope of US-India collaboration – spanning defense, regional security, energy markets, innovation, and supply chain resilience – it is crucial for our nation to reaffirm its commitment to India,” they concluded.