Indian American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi has called for significantly deeper cooperation between India and the United States to address what he described as the defining strategic challenge of the era — the rise of China. Speaking in an interview on 28 July, Krishnamoorthi urged both democracies to step up collaboration across artificial intelligence, quantum computing, clean energy, and security.

The China Challenge

'The China challenge is the defining challenge of our time,' Krishnamoorthi said. 'And the question is, are we going to rise to the occasion and be the best version of ourselves as a country? Right now, we are not.' He was equally direct about India's role, stating: 'I think India, like the United States, needs to step up to the challenge. It's not doing enough. It can do more.'

Krishnamoorthi, a Democrat representing Illinois' 8th Congressional District since 2017, has been a prominent congressional voice on strategic competition with China and US technology policy. Born in New Delhi and raised in the United States, he brings a dual perspective to the India-US relationship.

Technology as the Frontier

The Congressman identified emerging technologies as the primary arena where India-US cooperation must deepen. He specifically named fusion energy, solar power, quantum technology, and artificial intelligence as sectors ripe for joint development. 'I think technology's the future,' he said. 'I think we should work together on technologies of the future, whether it's fusion, whether it's solar, whether it's quantum, whether it's artificial intelligence, whether it's on security issues.'

This comes amid growing global competition for dominance in next-generation technologies, with China investing heavily in AI and quantum research. Analysts note that India-US collaboration in these areas could serve as a meaningful counterweight, though execution remains a challenge.

Chinese Influence Operations in the US

Turning to the question of Chinese interference in American democratic processes, Krishnamoorthi said there was no evidence that Beijing had interfered with the counting or tabulation of votes. 'They considered it, but they didn't do it,' he said, adding, 'That being said, it's always a concern.' He warned that Chinese influence operations tend to be subtle, operating at the local level through social media and attempts to shape the views of opinion-makers — a pattern, he suggested, that demands sustained vigilance.

H-1B Visa Reform and American Competitiveness

Krishnamoorthi also drew a direct line between US immigration policy and America's ability to compete with China. He criticised the current treatment of H-1B visa holders — many of whom are Indian professionals — and called for urgent reforms to expedite the path to permanent residency. 'For the million people who've been waiting patiently in queue to get their green card, we should do everything we can to expedite this process, especially again, for those people who've been here for decades,' he said.

He argued that long-term visa holders represent a reservoir of entrepreneurial and technological talent critical to American prosperity, and that any reforms to the immigration system should be pursued on a bipartisan basis.

Strengthening Democracies from Within

Beyond technology and immigration, Krishnamoorthi stressed that both India and the United States must strengthen their democracies internally to prevail in the contest with China. 'We have to do everything we can to reduce division, reduce any form of discrimination toward anybody, anywhere,' he said. 'And if we can do that, then I have no doubt that we will succeed.' He framed internal cohesion as inseparable from external competitiveness — a point that carries weight as both nations navigate domestic polarisation.

As the India-US strategic partnership continues to evolve, Krishnamoorthi's remarks signal growing bipartisan pressure in Washington for both countries to translate shared concerns about China into concrete, coordinated action.