Chicago, Dec 15 (NationPress) Influential American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi expressed concern that the US–India relationship has entered a “cold and frigid” phase, warning that recent policy changes could jeopardize a partnership that has been carefully cultivated over three decades. “I think the weather outside matches the best description of the US-India relationship that I can come up with right now — a little bit cold and frigid,” Krishnamoorthi remarked during his keynote address at the India Abroad Dialogue in Chicago.

He emphasized that the relationship “should be warm” and “continuing to rise in importance,” arguing that recent developments have moved it “for the worse,” even though India is recognized as “one of the largest economies” and “the largest democracy” globally.

Krishnamoorthi highlighted that India’s strategic importance extends beyond economics. “It’s also an incredibly important partner and friend,” he asserted, pointing to shared values of “equality, freedom, democracy, minority rights, secularism, free enterprise, and adherence to international norms.”

He sharply criticized the tariff policies of the Trump administration, labeling a proposed 50 percent tariff on Indian goods as “arbitrary” and “capricious.”

“A 50 percent tariff on India doesn’t make any sense. It has no basis in logic,” he argued, adding that it seemed like the result of a Truth Social tweet, which is not a valid approach to trade policy.

Krishnamoorthi stated that imposing higher tariffs on India compared to China is strategically unwise. “When we are trying to counterbalance the influence of the CCP globally, why would we ever want to alienate our friends, partners, and allies like India?” he questioned.

He described China as a “triple threat — economic, military, and technological,” accusing Beijing of stealing intellectual property, inundating markets with subsidized goods, and weaponizing monopolies for coercive tactics. “That’s what they have done from steel to solar, to paper, to glass, to electric vehicles,” he noted.

The Congressman also advocated for legal immigration, cautioning against movements to limit it. “Legal immigration has been the goose that lays the golden eggs for this country,” he stated. “We would not have a Dr Bharat Barai (an eminent Indian American from the area) here. We would not have my family in many of yours if we didn’t have a legal immigration system.”

He referred to Indian Americans as “the greatest export of India,” noting that the five-million-strong community acts as “bridge builders” between New Delhi and Washington.

Krishnamoorthi indicated that anti-Indian sentiment is on the rise, recounting an instance where an elected official from Florida called for his deportation, a statement he described as “deeply disturbing.”

The US–India strategic partnership has significantly expanded since the early 2000s, covering defense cooperation, technology, and trade. Despite occasional political tensions, both nations continue to regard each other as vital partners in counterbalancing China's influence in the Indo-Pacific.

The India Abroad Dialogue, a 10-city tour, commenced in Detroit on Saturday and is organized in collaboration with the Foundation of India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS), the US Indian Community Foundation, and several other community organizations.