Washington D.C.: A panel of US lawmakers has expressed concern that the Trump administration’s recent policies, including a 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods and increased fees on H1B visas, are negatively affecting American businesses and people-to-people ties between the United States and India. The warnings came during a hearing of the House Foreign Affairs South and Central Asia Subcommittee, which focused on the US-India strategic partnership and regional stability in the Indo-Pacific.

Democratic Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal highlighted that the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration “are hurting American businesses and consumers,” noting that these measures could undermine the broader economic relationship between the two countries. Jayapal also criticized the administration’s crackdown on immigration, arguing that the policies “threatened” people-to-people ties between India and the US and effectively “shut down legal pathways to immigrate.” She compared the current measures to historical discriminatory quotas that had made it difficult for Indians to enter the United States.

Drawing from her personal experience, Jayapal, the only US Congress member to have held both a student and H1B visa, emphasized her understanding of the challenges faced by immigrants under these policies. She stressed the importance of maintaining legal pathways for people from India and around the world, saying, “…I’m committed to making sure that we continue to provide strong legal pathways for people to come to this country from India as well as around the world.”

Jayapal further raised concerns about rising anti-Indian sentiment in the United States. She noted that Indian-Americans play a crucial role in the US economy, contributing significantly as leaders in Fortune 500 companies, startups, and critical research fields, including healthcare innovations. She urged that the policies be reconsidered to protect both the economic and social contributions of Indian-Americans.

US Representative Ami Bera also spoke at the hearing, noting that visuals of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin “cause some heartburn” among Congress members. Despite these concerns, Bera underlined the bipartisan commitment in the US Congress to strengthening the India-US partnership. He stressed that both countries share mutual economic and geopolitical interests and emphasized the need to foster security, peace, and prosperity that benefits both nations.

The hearing included expert testimony from multiple international and policy organizations. Participants included Jeff Smith, Director of the Asian Studies Center at the Heritage Foundation; Dhruva Jaishankar, Executive Director of the Observer Research Foundation America; and Sameer Lalwani, External Senior Advisor and Indo-Pacific Program Senior Fellow at the German Marshall Fund of the United States. The discussion highlighted the strategic importance of the US-India partnership and sought to address the impacts of US policy measures on bilateral relations.

The session, titled “The US-India Strategic Partnership: Securing a Free and Open Indo-Pacific,” focused on deepening economic, strategic, and people-to-people ties between the two democracies. Lawmakers emphasized the value of collaboration, noting that tariffs and immigration restrictions could undermine trust and the mutual benefits of the long-standing relationship.

The concerns raised by Congress members come amid broader debates over trade and immigration policies, particularly regarding skilled workers from India who fill critical roles in technology, research, and healthcare sectors in the United States. Jayapal and other lawmakers urged policymakers to ensure that immigration policies remain fair, accessible, and supportive of the US economy while preserving strategic relations with India.

As the US and India continue to navigate complex geopolitical dynamics, lawmakers stressed that economic sanctions, visa restrictions, and immigration crackdowns could hinder the broader goals of cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, affecting trade, investment, and scientific collaboration. The hearing underscored the bipartisan recognition of India as a key partner in regional stability, technology, and innovation, and the necessity of aligning policy measures to strengthen rather than strain bilateral ties.

Congresswoman Jayapal concluded by reiterating the need for equitable and transparent immigration and trade policies that do not disrupt the economic and social contributions of Indian-Americans, stressing that the United States benefits from maintaining a strong, positive relationship with India.