Washington D.C. – A bipartisan chorus of American lawmakers is expressing concerns about the current state of U.S.-India relations, particularly regarding tariffs and H1B visa issues. During a recent congressional hearing on the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership, members of Congress voiced apprehension that recent policies are undermining a crucial alliance.
Several U.S. lawmakers are worried that the Trump administration's trade policies are backfiring, potentially pushing India closer to China and Russia. Democrat Sydney Kamlager-Dove warned that President Trump risks being the president "who lost India" by straining relations through tariffs, visa fees, and political grievances. She highlighted that the U.S. President is singling out India with a 50% tariff, one of the highest imposed on any country besides Brazil, along with an additional penalty related to Russian oil purchases.
The Trump administration imposed a 25% tariff on Indian goods on August 1, 2025, later doubling it to 50% effective August 27, 2025. These tariffs jeopardize up to 70% of India's exports to the U.S., prompting warnings from the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) to diversify and pursue trade reform.
In addition to tariffs, changes to the H1B visa program are causing anxiety. The US Embassy in India confirmed that H1B visa appointments are being rescheduled, with some applicants facing delays until March 2026. These delays are attributed to new regulations requiring social media screening of applicants starting December 15, 2025. The new rule will scrutinize all social media accounts of applicants to check if the individual made any negative posts about the US.
Senator Ruben Gallego has called for stricter oversight of the H-1B visa program, cautioning that major U.S. tech firms are laying off domestic workers while hiring foreign professionals. This trend has direct implications for Indian engineers, who form the largest group of H-1B beneficiaries.
Despite concerns, efforts are underway to address these issues and strengthen U.S.-India ties. India and the U.S. have engaged in multiple rounds of negotiations to finalize a mutually beneficial trade pact. The goal is to more than double bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030. Union Minister Piyush Goyal met with US Deputy Trade Representative Rick Switzer and emphasized that any agreement must benefit both countries.
However, India has made tariff resolution a prerequisite for finalizing the first phase of the deal, while firmly opposing US demands for duty concessions on agricultural and dairy products. While these discussions continue, some US lawmakers are urging President Trump to reverse his administration's harmful tariff policies and repair the strained relationship with India. They warn that the tariffs undermine relations with India and hurt both American consumers and manufacturers.
