News India Times

www.newsindiatimes.com – that’s all you need to know US Lawmakers Urge Trump To Reset Relations With India O n October 8, 2025, Indian American Con- gressman Ro Khanna, D-California, and Rep. Deborah Ross, D-North Carolina, led a group of 19 Members of Congress in urging President Trump to take imme- diate steps to repair America’s strained relationship with India and to reverse his administra- tion’s “harmful” tariff policies. In the letter, the Members warn that the President’s recent tariff hikes, which raised duties on Indian goods to as high as 50 percent, have undermined relations with India and hurt both American consumers and manufacturers. “We write as Members of Congress representing districts with large, vibrant Indian- American communities that maintain strong familial, cultural, and economic ties to India. Recent actions by your administration have strained relations with the world’s largest democracy, creating negative consequences for both countries,” wrote the law- makers. “We urge you to take immediate steps to reset and repair this critical partnership.” The lawmakers emphasized that the U.S.-India trading relationship supports hundreds of thousands of jobs in both countries. They warned that es- calating tariffs threaten to drive up costs and weaken American competitiveness by pushing India to build closer ties with China and Russia. “The United States and India share democratic traditions that set us apart from our authoritarian competitors,” they went on to say, adding, “Our partnership demonstrates to the world that free and open societies can prosper through cooperation and mutual re- spect.” The other signatories on the letter include Brad Sher- man, Marc A. Veasey, Valerie P. Foushee, Sydney Kamlager Dove, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Eric Swalwell, Suhas Subra- manyam, Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr., Jonathan L. Jack- son, Frank Pallone, Jr., Danny K. Davis, Pramila Jayapal, Susan K. DelBene, Julie John- son, Jimmy Panetta, Thomas R. Suozzi, Jan Schakowsky, Shri Thanedar, and SamT. Liccardo. The full letter can be found on the website of Rep. Ross at ross.house.gov or the pdf version is at Final-US-India- Partnership-Letter. By a StaffWriter HOTO:FACEBOOK PHOTO:FACEBOOK Congressman Ro Khanna, D-California. Congresswoman Deborah Ross, D-North Carolina. ! " #$ % & !& '" " ( ) * " + , ) ( ( + ( & - .! ( - / % % & + + 0 ( % ( ( & 1 " ( % 2 - ! ( % - ( + & ( ( 3 4 + % & - 0 (% / & & - + % ( ! ( ( % ! ( 2 6 ( + - 7 % ( 8 ! - 2 % (% ! & ( - ( .( + ( 2 + + - & & ! ( + 8 + 8 9 ( ! ( % ! ( % ( ( . 2 ( & ! & - ( & ( ( + ( ( ) / & % ( ( - 0 ( + ( 9 ( - . ( : ; 8 + ! < + ( ) 0 ( + ( & , % - & ( 8 % 7 + + 2 ( & % + ! & - + ( = & >- > ( ( % (% 2 & % > - ( % % % + ( % & + " % + 2 ( ( + & + % ( + - 2 % % Congressman Frank Pallone Calls For Early US-India Dialogue To Remove Obstacles In Strategic Partnership C ongressman Frank Pallone, D-NJ, a long-time ‘Friend of India” called for an early resolution to obstacles in the US-India strategic partner- ship, and criticized the $100,000 additional fee for H-1B visas, as well as the tariff regime slapped by President Trump on India which was coming in the way of trade negotiations between the two democracies. At a webinar held Oct. 4, 2025, by the Global Organiza- tion of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) entitled, “H-1B Visa Storm, Current Challenges and Pathways Forward,” Pallone, a Padma Bhushan recipient and member of Congress for 18 terms, said the Trump administration is focusing on the wrong priorities. Rep. Pallone empha- sized that rather than investing in training programs to develop locally qualified talent, billions are being spent on a fee that does not address the root problem. Linking the $100,000 H-1B fee to tariffs, was like adjusting the lottery to favor higher-paid employees, and disadvantage small businesses creating economic distortions, the press release from GOPIO said. Congressman Pallone contended there was a broad bipartisan support in Congress for continuing the H1B Visa program. He said the Indian American community and organization such as GOPIO should engage with the Members of Congress to help develop a consensus towards a more considered approach towards preserving the many benefits of the H1BVisa program that has led to many positive outcomes for the US economy, the GOPIO press release said. He also warned that in the global competition for talent, countries like Germany and China are ready to at- tract highly qualified professionals, which could ultimate- ly weaken the U.S. economy instead of strengthening it. He also expressed some concern about what he saw as India’s growing turn toward China and Russia. “Meanwhile, India’s pivot toward countries such as Russia and China – partially in response to U.S. policy – raises additional strategic and economic concerns.” He called for an early US-India dialogue to remove the current hiccups. The webinar began with a welcome from GOPIO’s Associate Secretary and Chair ofWebinar Series Sunil Vuppala. GOPIO Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham noted how “shocked” everyone was when President Trump announced $100,000 fee for H-1BVisa on September 19, and described the benefits of the visa program to the US economy. The Moderator for the panel discussion was NewYork Immigration Attorney Dilli Bhatta. The panellists includ- ed Immigration Attorneys David Nachman, Stephanie Dy, and Prashanti Reddy. Panelists described in detail, the impact of the new $100,000 fee. They also noted that the current policy up- heaval extended far beyond H-1B visas, affecting tariffs, lottery mechanisms, and international competitiveness, all of which could have lasting consequences for U.S. in- novation and global leadership and stressed the urgency of proactive community engagement and informed advocacy. By a StaffWriter PHOTO:CourtesyGOPIO Rep. Frank Pallone Cover Story News India Times (October 11, 2025 - October 17, 2025) October 17, 2025 5