Indian Ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, has intensified diplomatic efforts to ease trade tensions sparked by President Donald Trump’s imposition of 50% tariffs on Indian goods, including a 25% penalty for India’s purchase of Russian oil, set to take effect on August 27. Since August 9, Kwatra has engaged with 19 US senators and congressmen, focusing on fostering fair and balanced trade ties and strengthening the India-US partnership, particularly in energy security, according to his social media posts.

On Friday, Kwatra met Congresswoman Claudia Tenney, a member of the House Ways and Means Committee and House Intelligence Committee, to discuss the importance of equitable trade relations. “We delved into US-India bilateral ties and highlighted India’s growing hydrocarbon imports from the US as a key pillar of our energy security,” Kwatra posted on X. He emphasized that India’s increasing reliance on US oil and gas strengthens bilateral economic cooperation, countering criticisms from US officials like White House Trade Adviser Peter Navarro, who accused India of “perpetuating” the Ukraine war through Russian oil purchases.

Kwatra also held a productive meeting with Representative Jonathan L. Jackson, a member of the House Foreign Affairs and Agriculture Committees, thanking him for his support in advancing US-India relations. “We explored opportunities to deepen our trade and economic partnership,” Kwatra noted. Similarly, in discussions with Congresswoman Haley Stevens, Ranking Member of the Research and Technology Subcommittee, Kwatra underscored India’s significant US hydrocarbon purchases, reinforcing their role in India’s energy strategy. “I appreciated her steadfast support for our bilateral ties,” he added.

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The flurry of meetings follows India’s defense of its Russian oil procurement, driven by national interest and market dynamics after Western sanctions on Moscow in 2022. India’s Ministry of External Affairs has called the US tariffs “unjustified and unreasonable,” prompting Kwatra’s proactive outreach to lawmakers like Senators Bill Hagerty and John Cornyn, and Representatives Josh Gottheimer and Andy Barr.

These engagements aim to preserve robust bilateral trade, which reached $120 billion in 2024, and expand cooperation in hydrocarbons, particularly with Texas. As tensions persist, Kwatra’s diplomacy signals India’s commitment to dialogue and mutual respect in navigating this challenging phase of US-India relations.

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