India Opens Diplomatic Talks on Trump’s Tariff, Quatra Meets US Security Official

India's Ambassador to the US Vinay Mohan Kwatra met US Congressman Josh Gottheimer and discussed trade relations. They also talked about cooperation in the energy sector. This meeting has taken place at a time when India is being criticized in the US for buying Russian oil. Kwatra also met Senator Cornyn and Congressman Barr.

India's Ambassador to the US Vinay Mohan Kwatra met US Congressman Josh Gottheimer and discussed balanced, fair and mutually beneficial trade relations between the two countries.

During this, he shared the latest updates on cooperation in the energy sector, especially oil and gas trade. This meeting took place at a time when harsh comments are coming against India in the US for buying Russian oil.

Kwatra posted on X on Thursday and wrote, "Appreciated the conversation with Josh Gottheimer, ranking member of the National Security Agency and Cyber ​​Subcommittee today. Shared updates on the latest developments in energy cooperation, especially two-way trade in oil and gas and balanced, fair and mutually beneficial trade relations." Discussion also with Senator Cornyn and Congressman Barr

Earlier on Wednesday, Quatra met Texas Senator John Cornyn, co-chairman of the Senate India Caucus. In this conversation, emphasis was laid on strengthening hydrocarbon and trade cooperation between Texas and India. Quatra wrote on X, "Thank you for Senator Cornyn's continued support for India-US relations. The importance of trade relations based on mutual respect was discussed."

Similarly, Vinay Quatra also met Congressman Andy Barr, Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Monetary Policy and Vice Co-Chair of the India Caucus. It is clear from these meetings that efforts to further strengthen India-US relations are intensifying.

America's sharp attack on Russian oil

Amidst these meetings, concerns about US President Donald Trump imposing additional tariffs on India for purchasing Russian oil have heated up the atmosphere. On Thursday, White House trade advisor Peter Navarro made the sharpest attack on India.

He claimed that India was "promoting" the Ukraine war by buying Russian oil. Navarro said, "India is acting like a laundromat for the Kremlin. India's purchases are funding Russia's war in Ukraine, while India is profiting from it."

Navarro further said, "India does not see the need to accept its role. It is getting closer to Xi Jinping (President of China). India does not need Russian oil. This is a refining profit scheme. I love India, Modi is a great leader, but India, please look at your role in the global economy. What you are doing is not bringing peace, but promoting war."

Warning from Nikki Haley and Jeffrey Sachs
On the other hand, former US UN ambassador Nikki Haley described India as a "valuable independent and democratic partner" and said that damaging the last 25 years of progress in India-US relations would be a "strategic disaster".

In her article in Newsweek, she advised Trump to hold direct talks with India's PM Modi and reverse the deterioration in relations. Haley believes that India is the only country in Asia that can be a strong partner of America to stop the growing influence of China.

At the same time, famous economist Jeffrey Sachs called the US decision to impose heavy tariffs on India "strange" and "suicidal for American foreign policy". He termed it against the interests of America.

What next?

Negotiations are going on between India and America on trade and energy cooperation, but the US rhetoric on the purchase of Russian oil has raised new challenges in the relationship.

Quatra's meetings are an indication that India is trying to resolve these issues and strengthen mutual relations. But the coming days will decide whether the two countries will be able to overcome these tensions and make way for a new partnership.