New Delhi: Indian-American Congressman Suhas Subramanyam has sharply criticized former US President Donald Trump, stating that Trump has “completely messed up” the long-standing relationship between India and the United States. He cautioned that the weakening bond between the world’s two largest democracies is negatively affecting both nations’ economic prospects and strategic standing on the global stage.
Speaking to IANS, Subramanyam said the situation marks a dramatic shift from Trump’s earlier tenure. He recalled that during Trump’s first term, relations with India had significantly improved, particularly through closer engagement with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. According to the congressman, that progress has now been reversed due to a mix of personal tensions and policy decisions.
Subramanyam argued that strained relations appear to stem from Trump’s personal differences with Prime Minister Modi, which he said have spilled over into policy choices. These decisions, he noted, are dismantling an economic partnership that had been built carefully over many years and is now causing harm on both sides.
Trump completely messed up India US ties, reversing years of diplomatic progress
The congressman warned that eroding ties with India would directly weaken Washington’s influence across Asia. He described India as one of America’s most critical long-term partners and said that any sustained damage to the relationship would reduce the United States’ ability to shape regional policy and maintain strategic balance.
Subramanyam emphasized that undermining ties with New Delhi makes little sense at a time when the US has significant opportunities to expand its economic and geopolitical reach. Strengthening cooperation with India, he said, could enhance America’s global economic power and influence, rather than diminish it.
India seen as a key ally as US looks to counter China’s growing influence
Highlighting India’s strategic importance, Subramanyam described the country as a natural ally for the United States, especially amid growing concerns over China’s global ambitions. He pointed out that India’s status as the world’s largest democracy makes it an essential partner for Washington in promoting shared democratic values and regional stability.
He outlined several areas where collaboration could be expanded, including defense cooperation, economic engagement, and technology partnerships. According to him, deeper strategic defense ties and stronger technology collaboration would benefit both nations and reinforce their shared interests in the Indo-Pacific region.
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Subramanyam also drew attention to shifting global supply chains, noting that companies seeking alternatives to China could find India to be a natural and reliable partner. Manufacturing and industrial cooperation, he said, could play a major role in reshaping global trade patterns if supported by stable bilateral relations.
Trump completely messed up India US ties through tariffs and trade disputes
Despite these opportunities, Subramanyam said tariffs imposed by the Trump administration have significantly undermined economic cooperation. He explained that such trade barriers have made it harder for businesses in both countries to collaborate effectively, while the rhetoric surrounding tariffs has further strained trust and confidence.
Although there is broad bipartisan support for strong India-US ties within Congress, Subramanyam said executive actions under Trump have made meaningful progress extremely difficult. Many lawmakers on both sides of the aisle remain committed to the partnership, he noted, but policy decisions from the administration have consistently worked against those efforts.
Congress faces pressure to repair alliances damaged by US foreign policy
Expanding his criticism beyond India, Subramanyam expressed deep concern about the overall direction of US foreign policy. He said promises to end wars and strengthen economic relationships have not been fulfilled, and instead, the US has seen increased conflict and weakened alliances.
According to him, the widespread use of tariffs has damaged economic ties with multiple countries and eroded trust among traditional allies. This loss of confidence, he warned, could have long-term consequences for America’s global leadership.
Looking ahead, Subramanyam said Congress will have to play a key role in repairing relationships that have been harmed over the past year. He stressed the importance of working across party lines to rebuild partnerships, including the critical relationship with India.
The recently passed National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) underscores the depth of India-US ties, noting that defense, technology, trade, and people-to-people connections have steadily expanded over the last two decades with bipartisan backing in both Washing ton and New Delhi. Analysts and policy experts continue to view the partnership as central to balancing China’s rise, making any prolonged downturn in relations a matter of serious concern, according to a Congressional Research Service report.
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