Amid escalating trade tensions sparked by the United States’ imposition of hefty 50% tariffs on Indian goods, India’s Ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, has launched an intensive diplomatic campaign to strengthen bilateral ties. On August 22, 2025, in New York, Kwatra engaged in critical discussions with US lawmakers, including Senator Bill Hagerty and Congressman Greg Landsman, focusing on fostering “fair, balanced, and mutually beneficial” trade and advancing energy security cooperation, particularly in hydrocarbons.

Kwatra expressed gratitude to Senator Hagerty for his steadfast support of the India-US partnership, briefing him on India’s efforts to maintain equitable trade relations and highlighting the growing two-way trade in oil and gas. “We shared perspectives on India’s energy security and the expanding hydrocarbon partnership,” Kwatra noted in a social media post. His meeting with Congressman Landsman, a key figure in Ohio’s political landscape, centered on recent developments in bilateral trade and the potential for deeper energy Gradoes energy collaboration.

The ambassador’s Thursday meeting with Representative Josh Gottheimer, Ranking Member of the National Security Agency & Cyber Subcommittee, further emphasized the importance of balanced trade and energy ties, with discussions on enhancing oil and gas trade. Since August 9, Kwatra has met with 16 US lawmakers, including prominent figures like Representatives Darrell Issa, Andy Barr, and Senators Mark Warner and Lindsey Graham, to address the strain caused by the US tariffs, which include a 25% penalty for India’s purchase of Russian crude oil, set to take effect on August 27.

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India has strongly criticized these tariffs as “unjustified and unreasonable,” defending its Russian oil imports as a necessity driven by national energy needs and market dynamics, especially after Western sanctions on Moscow following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The Ministry of External Affairs has emphasized India’s commitment to safeguarding its economic security, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowing to protect critical sectors like agriculture.

Kwatra’s diplomatic push underscores India’s resolve to navigate these challenges while deepening ties with the US, with ongoing trade negotiations scheduled for August 25–29 aiming to resolve key disputes over market access and tariffs. As tensions persist, Kwatra’s engagements signal India’s proactive approach to maintaining a strong, mutually beneficial partnership with the United States.

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