WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — At a time when tariffs and shifting geopolitics threaten to strain U.S.–India relations, a panel of policy experts, diplomats, and strategists gathered in Washington this week to ask a pressing question: Can the world’s two largest democracies steady their partnership or risk drifting apart?

The roundtable, hosted by the Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS), took place against the backdrop of President Donald Trump’s tariff escalations and India’s oil trade with Russia. Speakers warned that trade disputes and sanctions risk undermining decades of progress between Washington and New Delhi.

Michael Rubin, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and former Pentagon official, said Washington’s silence in the face of strain could have long-term costs. “If you’re afraid to stand up to Donald Trump now, how can we trust you ever to stand up to Pakistan and China?” he asked.

Khanderao Kand, convener of FIIDS, argued that these issues should not overshadow the bipartisan consensus on India in Washington. “U.S.–India relations have strengthened across presidencies because they are strategically and mutually important,” he said. Kand noted tariffs and sanctions as the two biggest challenges, but stressed that India could play a diplomatic role in finding solutions.

Kand highlighted India’s growing global importance. With the world’s largest middle-class market, the biggest defense imports, and an economy on track to become the third largest, India serves as a vital counterbalance to China in the Indo-Pacific. “For the U.S., India is not just a partner for growth but an indispensable pillar of future geopolitics,” he said.

Kapil Sharma of the Roundglass Foundation reminded the audience that past crises, from India’s 1998 nuclear tests to the 2013 arrest of a diplomat in New York, never derailed the partnership. “Every couple of years, everybody believed the relationship was over,” he said. “But the relationship actually tends to get stronger.”

He pointed to recent examples of engagement, including the launch of a Congressional Study Group on India, which quickly attracted more than 60 members. “The dialogue is continuing, not only in capitals but also on the ground,” Sharma said.

Economic concerns featured prominently throughout the discussion. Dr. Anit Mukherjee of the Observer Research Foundation said Trump’s trade measures created a paradox. While tariffs raised revenue for the U.S., they also distorted labor markets and slowed investment. “There is definitely going to be an impact on the labor market,” he cautioned, adding that uncertainty could reduce capital inflows into India.

Bill Drexel of the Hudson Institute framed the dispute differently. He suggested that arguments between the U.S. and India reflect the growing weight each country places on the other. “You actually argue a lot more with your spouse than you do with your cousin,” he said, drawing laughter. “This spat might be a tremor of two countries realizing more and more that they’re important to each other.”

Drexel also highlighted a clash in political culture. He said Trump’s preference for public displays of dominance often conflicted with India’s resistance to such gestures. If left unchecked, this mismatch could deepen mistrust.

Jason Isaacson of the American Jewish Committee raised concerns over Trump’s rhetoric, blaming India for the war in Ukraine. “I’m really concerned about the damage to the relationship because of that kind of commentary,” he said. Still, he stressed that “the logic of the relationship between the United States and India is unassailable.” He pointed to India’s role in Middle East integration and defense ties with Israel as proof of its value.

Former Indian diplomat Pradeep Kapur warned that abrupt policy shifts, often announced by tweet, were undermining trust. “It’s not going to be easy for the two countries to get back on an even keel very quickly,” he said. “It will require a lot of hard work and empathy.”

Despite the strains, speakers agreed that the U.S.–India relationship has shown resilience through crises. While tariffs, sanctions, and political clashes remain obstacles, experts said the underlying partnership remains strong and strategically vital.

As Washington and New Delhi navigate trade disputes and global rivalries, one message from the panel was clear: both nations have far more to gain by working together than drifting apart.