India-US partnership: US Congressional delegation ‘just wrapped a productive meeting’ with EAM Jaishankar

External affairs minister S Jaishankar and US Congressional delegation met in New Delhi on Sunday, holding discussions on a range of issues including India–US relations, the Indo-Pacific region and the ongoing Ukraine conflict. The delegation comprised Congressmen Mike Rogers, Adam Smith and Jimmy Patronis, and was joined by US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor. The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral ties and maintaining close engagement between the two countries. Sharing details of the interaction on X, Jaishankar wrote, “A good interaction with US Congressional Delegation comprising Mike RogMike Rogers, Adam Smith and Jimmy Patronis, along with US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor. Discussed various aspects of India US ties, Indo Pacific and Ukraine conflict. Congressional interactions have always been an important facet of our relationship.” Ambassador Gor also described the meeting as constructive, saying they explored ways to further enhance the cooperation between the two sides. In a post on X, he said, “Just wrapped a productive meeting with EAM S Jaishankar, Mike Rogers, Adam Smith and Jimmy Patronis on ways to strengthen US-India partnership for stronger security, expanded trade, and cooperation on critical technologies.”Earlier this week, the US ambassador said that he would ensure that senior US officials regularly travel to India as both countries work to elevate their partnership. His comments came after the visit of Senator Steve Daines, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which the US described as productive. “As a member of Senate Foreign Relations Committee with experience in Asia, Senator Daines’ meetings with official and private sector stakeholders in Delhi were instrumental in advancing our bilateral relationship,” Gor had said. The diplomatic outreach also comes amid ongoing trade discussions between the two countries. US President Donald Trump recently said that America would have a “great” trade deal with India, speaking during his visit to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. In an interaction with Moneycontrol on the sidelines of the event, Trump praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said, “I have great respect for your Prime Minister. He’s a fantastic man and a friend of mine. We are going to have a good deal.” At present, Indian imports to the US are subjected to 50% tariff, among the highest globally. Of these, 25% were announced back in August 2025, as additional tariffs, as the US alleged that India’s purchase of crude oil from Russia, was fueling Moscow’s “war machine.” While both countries have reiterated that trade talks and negotiations are continuing, a final agreement has yet to be reached.