WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — Indian American Congressman Ro Khanna sharply criticized President Donald Trump’s foreign and domestic policies during the IX USISPF Leadership Summit in Washington. He said the US-India relationship has reached its lowest point in the last 30 years. At the same event, however, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor expressed confidence that the partnership between the two countries will remain strong for decades.
Khanna, a Democrat from California, said Trump’s recent decisions have damaged America’s global standing. He argued that the president’s actions have also weakened trust between Washington and New Delhi. Moreover, he warned that ignoring these concerns would create a false picture of the current relationship.
“The US-India relationship has been at its lowest point in the last 30 years,” Khanna said during his address at the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum Leadership Summit.
He also criticized Trump’s decision to enter the conflict involving Iran. According to Khanna, the move raised energy prices and affected India. He said the policy hurt ordinary people by increasing gas costs. Furthermore, he claimed that the United States acted without properly consulting key allies, including India, Europe, and Canada. As a result, he said the decision reduced America’s credibility on the global stage.
Khanna also referred to a recent visit to China. During that trip, he said the Indian ambassador told him that a “generation of trust” had been lost because of Trump’s policies. He argued that the United States must rebuild confidence with its partners instead of creating new divisions.
In addition, Khanna criticized Trump’s tariff policies. He said the ongoing trade disputes have created uncertainty for international partners. He added that strong alliances require stability, trust, and regular communication.
The California congressman also spoke about immigration. He criticized Trump’s approach toward immigrants and international students. He said the administration’s policies have discouraged talented people from choosing the United States. According to Khanna, the country should welcome skilled workers instead of pushing them away.
He also questioned Trump’s claims about America’s leadership in artificial intelligence. Khanna said many leading AI researchers come from outside the United States or earned their degrees abroad. Therefore, he argued that attracting global talent remains essential for maintaining America’s leadership in technology and innovation.
During his speech, Khanna described Trump as a “lame duck” president. He said the administration’s actions have weakened America’s influence around the world. He added that partnerships become harder to maintain when allies lose confidence in US leadership.
Despite Khanna’s strong criticism, Sergio Gor presented a far more optimistic view of US-India relations. Speaking at the same summit, the US ambassador to India said the friendship between the two democracies remains resilient. He expressed confidence that the relationship will continue to grow despite political disagreements and changing global events.
Gor recalled a recent conversation with an Indian minister in New Delhi. According to him, the minister said the United States and India would remain close partners even 50 years from now. He noted that both countries share democratic values and support open political debate. Therefore, he said their partnership rests on a strong foundation that extends beyond any single administration.
Gor also highlighted the strategic importance of India. He said the country is located in a challenging neighborhood where regional tensions can change quickly. Even so, he stressed that the shared interests between Washington and New Delhi make the relationship durable over the long term.
US-India ties have faced several challenges over the past year. Trump’s tariff policies, restrictions on H-1B visas, and immigration enforcement have created friction between the two countries. At the same time, trade negotiations continue. Both governments agreed on the legal framework for a trade agreement earlier this year, although they have not finalized the deal.
Even with those differences, Trump has repeatedly praised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He recently described Modi as one of his favorite world leaders. Meanwhile, both governments continue discussions on trade and broader strategic cooperation.
The contrasting remarks from Khanna and Gor highlighted two different views of the current US-India relationship. While Khanna warned that trust has declined under Trump, Gor argued that the long-term partnership remains strong. As both countries continue trade talks and strategic cooperation, the future of US-India relations will remain an important issue for policymakers and businesses alike.
