Can the India-US Relationship Be 'Repaired'?

Washington, September 12 (NationPress) Congresswoman Deborah Ross, co-chair of the Congressional Study Group on India (CSGI) and a dedicated proponent of India-US relations, expressed her firm belief that the bond can be ‘repaired’. In a special discussion with IANS in Washington on Thursday, Ross, a Democratic Representative from North Carolina, expressed optimism that the relationship would soon return to a positive trajectory as trade discussions recommence.

“I’m very encouraged that the dialogue has resumed. After 30 years of constructive communication and a fruitful educational and business partnership, we are the two largest democracies globally. The last thing we should do is alienate India and push them toward Russia and China. My sincere hope, and I am a woman of hope and faith, is that this relationship will be mended,” she remarked.

Her comments come as Sergio Gor, the Trump administration’s nominee for US Ambassador to India, referred to New Delhi as a “strategic partner” during his Senate confirmation hearing on Thursday. He also indicated that both nations are nearing a trade agreement.

Ross opined that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent trip to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, where he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, served as a “wake-up call to the administration” and “left a significant impression on people in Washington” to “revive this relationship” with India.

She highlighted that it was a “smart move” by PM Modi to convey to the United States that “he has alternatives.”

“I believe it was indeed a wise decision for him to do that, as it demonstrated that he has options. Unfortunately, those options are not favorable. They are detrimental for both him and for us,” she underscored.

On the personal rapport between PM Modi and President Trump, Ross expressed hope that “advisors around the president will encourage him to revert to the attitudes he previously held.”

In July, Ross spearheaded a bipartisan group of 14 lawmakers in urging Secretary of State Marco Rubio to address delays faced by Indian students in securing student visa appointments. In their letter, the lawmakers emphasized that Indian students contribute $9 billion to the US economy.

The Congresswoman noted that while she hasn’t “received a direct response from Secretary Rubio” on this matter, she is in active discussions with the affected universities and students.

“I have been in contact with numerous higher education institutions regarding how they are expediting those visas and assisting those students,” she informed IANS.

Ross also expressed her support for “expanding” H1B visas as the Trump administration seeks to alter the current system.

“The business sector is advocating for more visas. The reality is that the US is not producing enough qualified candidates for many of these high-skilled roles. We are lacking enough doctors and engineers. We must broaden these visa categories, as no single nation monopolizes innovation,” she emphasized.

Ross stated that India is the “ideal partner” for this exchange since it’s a transparent democracy.

“It is crucial that we cultivate that cooperation with India, as you are a transparent democracy, and we would prefer to engage with you rather than with authoritarian regimes that compromise our intellectual property and have ulterior motives,” she added.

In August 2023, Ross participated in a congressional delegation to India, visiting the Western Naval Command headquarters in Mumbai, alongside Representative Ro Khanna, to promote robust bilateral defense ties.

She suggested that the recent trade tensions between India and the U.S. might only have short-lived effects on other areas of collaboration.

“What I’m hoping is that since we have heard that discussions are resuming, we may be able to initiate some reparative work. I’m optimistic that in the long term, this will not be detrimental.”

Ross also announced that another bipartisan delegation is scheduled to visit India in February next year.

“I want the relationship between Congress and India to be strong, which is why I traveled to India with Representative Khanna. I had previously visited India as a state legislator, and I am returning again,” she remarked.

Addressing the increasing incidents of targeted assaults on Hindu temples and other worship sites in the United States, the Congresswoman stated that some “individuals are attempting to divide us, [and] to hold others accountable for their circumstances.”

“In response, I have taken two actions. First, I am ensuring that places of worship can access grants for security measures. Second, we have federal legislation to protect places of worship and secure federal protection for those sites, and Republicans have attempted to repeal that law because it also safeguards access to abortion clinics. I have been very vocal in opposing the repeal of that law,” she concluded.