US Hearing Highlights: Calls to Rebuild Trust with India

During a House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee hearing on US-India relations, Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA) held up an enlarged photo of PM Narendra Modi and Vladimir Putin in a car, declaring Trump's coercive tactics—like tariffs on Indian goods and visa restrictions—"cutting our nose to spite our face." She warned these policies inflict "real and lasting damage" to Washington-New Delhi trust, potentially making Trump "the President who lost India."​

The critique highlights ongoing trade frictions, including 50% US tariffs since August 2025 and Trump's threats on Indian rice imports, amid stalled negotiations.​

Key Highlights:

Flashpoint Image: Modi-Putin car selfie symbolizes US policy fallout.​

Core Criticism: Coercive diplomacy erodes strategic partnership.​

Policy Issues: Tariffs, visa curbs, pressure on Russia oil buys.​

Call to Action: Bipartisan urgency to rebuild trust, avert adversary shift.​

Hearing Context: 'US-India Strategic Partnership: Securing Indo-Pacific'.​

Sources: Tribune India, ABP Live, NDTV, India TV News.​