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www.newsindiatimes.com – that’s all you need to know US - India News India Times (June 27, 2026 - July 3, 2026) July 3, 2026 7 S everal US lawmakers on Tues- day, June 23, 2026, underscored the importance of the India-US relationship, in the backdrop of the ongoing bilateral interim trade agreement negotiations, while offer- ing varied views on tariffs and strategic cooperation. Speaking to ANI, on the ongoing India-US trade deal negotiations, Kansas Senator Roger Marshall pointed to existing challenges but expressed optimism about future opportunities. “There are some challenges when it comes to the trade agreement. There’s a USD 50 billion imbalance between the two countries…There’s some work to be done. I’m optimistic for opportunities like ethanol… For years, India has built up walls and tariffs for American goods com- ing into India. So if you want us to buy the products you’re making, frankly, then we hope that you will return that trade back to us as well,” he said. Despite trade differences, Marshall strongly backed closer ties between the two countries, saying, “I couldn’t be more excited about the relationship between In- dia and America. We share so many of the same values…Then you throw on top of that that we’re both democracies and we want a free world. We have this opportuni- ty to stick together in so many ways. Sure, there’s friction. There’s always going to be friction, just like a family has friction.” Speaking to ANI, Congressman Suhas Subramanyam stressed the need to reinvigorate bilateral engagement, say- ing, “This administration has been very harmful to the US-India relationship. And so now we’re trying to re-engage and recommit to that relationship. It’s one of the most important relationships in the world.” He added, “We need to make sure that the US and India are on the same page when it comes to countering terrorism, when it comes to economic gains and eco- nomic trade. We also need to make sure that as we look to counter China, India is a partner in that and try to normalise relationships there.” Speaking to ANI, Congressman Brad Sherman, commenting on trade, called for a return to normal economic ties between the two countries. “This administration began with the crippling tariffs, and I hope very much that we can restore nor- mal trade relations between the United States and India. It’s important for both economies, and it’s important for our geostrategic relationship,” he said. Addressing concerns over anti-im- migrant sentiment, Sherman remarked, “There are certain elements of the MAGA community that are just anti-everybody. That includes Indo Americans. We’ve dealt with xenophobia in our country, but this is the most welcoming country in the world over the last 250 years, and every im- migrant group has faced some degree of discrimination…” Speaking to ANI, on the India-US trade deal, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi criticized the administration’s tariff policy, saying, “President Trump has unnecessar- ily picked trade wars with a number of our friends, partners and allies…The net re- sult is higher prices for Americans. As long as these trade wars and blanket tariffs are in place, we’re basically going to be cutting off our nose to spite our face.” He also condemned recent incidents targeting Indian-Americans and other minority communities in the US. “We saw that in Texas, where a group of white supremacists got in front of the city hall and tore up an Indian flag and told people who hail from India to go back. They said that there’s a Hindu takeover of Texas. They’ve spouted all kinds of other nonsen- sical rhetoric. We have to stand up against prejudice toward anybody…We have to make sure that everyone understands that it is un-American, has no place in Ameri- ca,” he said. The US Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Bethany Poulos Morrison said thatWashington is “very, very close” to concluding the historic trade agreement with India. Speaking at an event, Morrison said, “Looking at trade, in February 2026, we announced the intention to finally con- clude the historic trade deal. We are very, very close.” She added that the proposed agree- ment would open India’s market of 1.4 billion people to American goods. “This is going to open India’s market of 1.4 billion to America’s goods on terms that are reciprocal and mutually benefi- cial. The administration is driving towards the goal of Mission 500, 500 billion in trade by 2030, with a real sense of urgen- cy,” she said, referring to the broader trade target between the two countries. Earlier on Tuesday, US Trade Represen- tative Jamieson Greer and Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal met in New Delhi to advance negotia- tions on the Interim Agreement, originally launched by President Trump and Prime Minister Modi. - ANI US Lawmakers Back Stronger India-US Ties, Highlight Trade Deal Challenges PHOTOS:ANI US Senator Roger Marshall Congressman Suhas Subramanyam Congressman Brad Sherman Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi Indian American Christian Delegation Holds Dialogue With Rep. Tom Suozzi A delegation of leaders from the Indian American Christian community recently met with Congressman Tom Suozzi and exchanged views on a range of issues affecting the community both in the United States and in India. Christians are estimated to comprise nearly 20 percent of the Indian diaspora in the United States, organizers said in a press release. During the meeting, George Abraham praised the Congressman, saying, “The Indian American community has long admired your thought- ful and balanced approach to governance. Your willingness to address difficult issues with candor, common sense, and a spirit of bipartisanship has earned you the respect of many Americans, including members of the Indian American com- munity.” “We are mindful of your enduring friendship with the Indian American community and your commitment to the success of its members,” Abraham added, noting the substantial contribu- tions to the economic, cultural, scientific, and civic life of this nation, by Indian Americans. During the discussions, “participants ex- pressed concern over what they described as the declining state of democratic institutions and the erosion of religious freedom in India,” the press release said. They stressed the importance of safeguarding these principles and stressed that strong bilateral relations should be rooted not only in economic and strategic cooperation but also in a shared commitment to fundamental freedoms and the rule of law. Among those participating in the discussions were Bishop Johncy Itty, Rev. Fr. John Thomas, Rev. Itty Abraham, Rev. Wilson Jose, Rev. Sabu Varghese, George Koshy, and Rev. Jacob George, Rev. Sunny Philip and George Abraham. PHOTOS:COURTESY GEORGE ABRAHAM Organizers of the Indian American Christian community met with Rep. Tom Suozzi, D-NY, recently. By a StaffWriter