Indian Envoy : 23 Meetings with US Lawmakers for ‘Fair Trade’

India’s Ambassador to the United States, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, has intensified diplomatic outreach with American lawmakers to press for “fair, balanced and mutually beneficial trade ties” at a time when New Delhi and Washington are navigating heightened tariff-related tensions.

Kwatra has held as many as 23 meetings with members of the US Congress since August 9, including four in the last 24 hours, according to details shared on his official social media handle.

On Saturday, the envoy met Congressman Joe Courtney, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces, and expressed appreciation for his consistent backing of the India-US strategic partnership. He emphasized that trade cooperation must remain fair and reciprocal, reflecting both countries’ long-term economic interests.

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The Ambassador also met Congressman Gabe Amo, Vice Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Democrats, for what he described as a “productive discussion.” He noted the importance of strengthening bilateral trade frameworks that promote balance and durability.

Congressman Jared Moskowitz, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Intelligence, also held discussions with Kwatra on economic engagements. Similarly, Congressman Ben Cline was briefed on India’s rising hydrocarbon imports from the United States — a development Kwatra underlined as “an essential element of India’s energy security.”

The flurry of engagements comes against the backdrop of Washington’s new tariff measures, announced by President Donald Trump, which impose a total levy of 50 per cent on Indian goods. Notably, a 25 per cent duty will also apply to India’s imports of Russian oil starting August 27.

India, while acknowledging its partnership with the US, has defended its reliance on Russian crude, arguing that energy procurement decisions are guided by national interest and global market realities. New Delhi began purchasing discounted Russian oil in large volumes after Western sanctions curbed Moscow’s access to European and US buyers following the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Diplomatic observers note that Kwatra’s outreach is aimed at ensuring that congressional voices are kept aligned with the broader trajectory of India-US relations — which span defense, technology, climate, and energy — even as the tariff question poses fresh challenges.

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