Washington, Oct 9 (NationPress) Sydney Kamlager-Dove, a Democratic Congresswoman from California and the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on South and Central Asia, has described the Trump administration's tariffs on India as "incredibly unfortunate" and emphasized the need for stronger relations with New Delhi.

In an exclusive chat with IANS, Kamlager-Dove stated that "tariffs are playing a disproportionate role in how we are able to move together".

"I think that's incredibly unfortunate, especially since there was significant progress made during the Biden administration to enhance this bilateral relationship positively," she added.

She also expressed her discontent with the silence of Republican lawmakers as relations between India and the U.S. deteriorated.

"The Republicans are either remaining silent or endorsing policies that are leading to major setbacks," she noted.

Kamlager-Dove, along with 18 fellow Democratic House members, co-signed a letter to President Trump on Wednesday (local time), urging him to "reset and repair" the critical India-U.S. partnership.

Prominent Democratic figures such as Deborah Ross, Ro Khanna, Brad Sherman, Raja Krishnamoorthi, and Pramila Jayapal also signed the letter.

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

Kamlager-Dove expressed disappointment that not a single Republican lawmaker signed the letter but admitted she was not "surprised".

"Republicans in Congress are hesitant to confront Trump. Where were their voices during the Biden administration when Republicans were praising the significance of the U.S.-India relationship?"

She added that Democrats now bear an "outsized responsibility" to remind both the American public and international communities of their dedication to fostering strong relationships.

The Congresswoman also revealed that she has "authored an amendment through the congressional process" requesting Trump to attend the "incredibly important" Quad summit.

"Why must we remind a president to participate in a Quad Leadership Summit? This is crucial for unity among our partners across the Indo-Pacific," she asserted.

The Quad Leaders' Summit, originally set to occur in India later this year, is now anticipated to take place early next year.

On September 10, Kamlager-Dove criticized the Trump administration's approach to India during a speech on the House floor, labeling it "reckless".

"This partnership is too valuable to be undermined by Trump's ego and Republican complicity. Trump must change course, negotiate a deal, and rectify the damage he has caused. He needs to align his actions with the interests of this country and our relationship with India," she emphasized.

In her conversation with IANS, Kamlager-Dove highlighted her duty as a ranking member of the Subcommittee on South and Central Asia to "speak up" about the region and its vital relationship with India.

"I recognize that one of our most significant historical relationships has been with India. I feel obligated to discuss the strategic power emerging from this region and the potential for a robust bilateral relationship with India. That is why I delivered the speech; I consistently advocate for the U.S.-India relationship, which is why I signed the letter," she stated.

Kamlager-Dove is confident that India possesses the "brain power" necessary to collaborate with the United States on crucial technologies, yet she cautioned that "arbitrary policies" like the crackdown on H-1B visas would ultimately "harm the U.S."

"India has the innovation and intelligence that we hope will assist us in navigating the advancements in AI. Unfortunately, our president has turned the H-1B visa process into an arbitrary lottery, which is detrimental to the United States, as we strive for competitiveness and require global talent to achieve that. These individuals are highly skilled and incredibly sought after," she remarked.

The Congresswoman cautioned that limiting the visa program would drive Indian talent away from the U.S., compromising both American innovation and competitiveness.

"We could see a decline in the number of individuals coming here to contribute to critical sectors like medicine, entertainment, and business. These industries are vital to my district and the nation, and we need to amplify discussions around this issue," she pointed out.

On September 19, President Trump enacted a proclamation to significantly limit the H-1B visa program and imposed a steep $100,000 visa application fee.

Kamlager-Dove also commented on India's strengthening ties with China and its relationship with Russia, attributing this shift to a hostile U.S. approach.

"This situation illustrates what occurs when you are lenient toward your adversaries and harsh toward your allies. I cannot blame India for taking measures to remind the United States of what we stand to lose. It pains me to say this, but India must act in the interest of its citizens, ensuring resilience, which sometimes entails forging relationships with others that may not be our friends," she explained.

Regarding Trump's effort to regain control of the strategic Bagram airbase in Afghanistan and the recent unified stance of India, Pakistan, and China against this initiative, Kamlager-Dove argued that the Trump administration is "actively continuing to isolate ourselves from partners that would typically collaborate with us".

She expressed hope that the President "can recognize the setbacks he is causing".

"Donald Trump was given a tremendous opportunity, but instead, he has opted for erratic, xenophobic, arbitrary, and punitive measures that worry our allies. I have never witnessed a president who is harsh toward his partners and kind to his adversaries," she concluded.