Alienating India Would Be ‘Big Trouble’ For US, Warns Republican Congressman

Last Updated:January 17, 2026, 15:58 IST

Ties between Washington and New Delhi have further cooled during Trump’s second term over India’s continued purchase of Russian oil.

US Congressman Rich McCormick at CSIS

A senior US lawmaker from former president Donald Trump’s Republican Party has drawn a sharp contrast between India and Pakistan, stressing that New Delhi brings investments, talent and long-term value to the United States, while Islamabad does not.

Speaking at an event organised by the Centre for Strategic and Studies (CSIS), US Congressman Rich McCormick said India’s economic and strategic importance made it a key partner for Washington. He cautioned that distancing India could seriously harm US interests.

“Pakistan is a country with 300 million people. But you don’t see it bringing investments into America. India not only takes investments, but it also brings investments into the United States," McCormick said.

His remarks come at a time when relations between India and the US have faced strain, particularly over trade issues and tariffs. Despite these tensions, McCormick underlined India’s growing role as a source of skilled professionals and innovation.

“Talent matters, and India is supplying a tremendous amount of talent. Not just in exporting talented people, but also in what they are filling in," the Republican leader added.

In recent months, Trump has appeared to improve ties with Pakistan, a move that has caused concern in New Delhi. Successive US administrations had earlier strengthened relations with India as a strategic counterweight to China in the Indo-Pacific region. However, Trump recently signalled a tougher stance on Islamabad by halting the processing of immigrant visas for Pakistani citizens.

Indian-origin Democratic Congressman Ami Bera, who also spoke at the CSIS event, echoed McCormick’s assessment. He said that despite warmer diplomatic signals, Pakistan was not attracting large-scale American investment.

“America is not creating a strategic partnership with Pakistan. American companies are not putting multi-billion-dollar investments in Pakistan. All of that is happening in India," Bera said.

Meanwhile, ties between Washington and New Delhi have further cooled during Trump’s second term over India’s continued purchase of Russian oil.

The US recently imposed an additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods, taking the total to 50 per cent, arguing that revenue from oil sales was helping Russia fund its war in Ukraine. Talks on a bilateral trade agreement have also stalled.

Addressing this issue, McCormick admitted that the US was unhappy with India’s energy purchases, but said he understood New Delhi’s position.

“PM Modi is extremely nationalistic in a good way. He’s looking out for his country. When India buys cheap Russian oil, America hates that. But he is doing it in the best interest of his country," he said.

McCormick described India and the US as “like-minded" nations and called for fairness and balance in trade relations. He said economic cooperation needed to benefit both sides.

“The industry that we bring back to India, the consumption that we do of Indian goods is very important, but we need to make sure there’s balance there," he said, before adding with a light remark, “Anybody who’s married understands that."

Despite disagreements over trade and energy, McCormick delivered a clear message to the Trump administration. He warned that pushing India away would have serious consequences for the United States.

“If America embraces Indians as friends, we will have peace and prosperity. If we alienate them, it is going to be big trouble for all of us," the Congressman said.

A senior US lawmaker from former president Donald Trump’s Republican Party has drawn a sharp contrast between India and Pakistan, stressing that New Delhi brings investments, talent and long-term value to the United States, while Islamabad does not.

Speaking at an event organised by the Centre for Strategic and Studies (CSIS), US Congressman Rich McCormick said India’s economic and strategic importance made it a key partner for Washington. He cautioned that distancing India could seriously harm US interests.

“Pakistan is a country with 300 million people. But you don’t see it bringing investments into America. India not only takes investments, but it also brings investments into the United States," McCormick said.

His remarks come at a time when relations between India and the US have faced strain, particularly over trade issues and tariffs. Despite these tensions, McCormick underlined India’s growing role as a source of skilled professionals and innovation.

“Talent matters, and India is supplying a tremendous amount of talent. Not just in exporting talented people, but also in what they are filling in," the Republican leader added.

In recent months, Trump has appeared to improve ties with Pakistan, a move that has caused concern in New Delhi. Successive US administrations had earlier strengthened relations with India as a strategic counterweight to China in the Indo-Pacific region.

However, Trump recently signalled a tougher stance on Islamabad by halting the processing of immigrant visas for Pakistani citizens.

Indian-origin Democratic Congressman Ami Bera, who also spoke at the CSIS event, echoed McCormick’s assessment. He said that despite warmer diplomatic signals, Pakistan was not attracting large-scale American investment.

“America is not creating a strategic partnership with Pakistan. American companies are not putting multi-billion-dollar investments in Pakistan. All of that is happening in India," Bera said.

Meanwhile, ties between Washington and New Delhi have further cooled during Trump’s second term over India’s continued purchase of Russian oil. The US recently imposed an additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods, taking the total to 50 per cent, arguing that revenue from oil sales was helping Russia fund its war in Ukraine. Talks on a bilateral trade agreement have also stalled.

Addressing this issue, McCormick admitted that the US was unhappy with India’s energy purchases, but said he understood New Delhi’s position.

“PM Modi is extremely nationalistic in a good way. He’s looking out for his country. When India buys cheap Russian oil, America hates that. But he is doing it in the best interest of his country," he said.

McCormick described India and the US as “like-minded" nations and called for fairness and balance in trade relations. He said economic cooperation needed to benefit both sides.

“The industry that we bring back to India, the consumption that we do of Indian goods is very important, but we need to make sure there’s balance there," he said, before adding with a light remark, “Anybody who’s married understands that."

Despite disagreements over trade and energy, McCormick delivered a clear message to the Trump administration. He warned that pushing India away would have serious consequences for the United States.

“If America embraces Indians as friends, we will have peace and prosperity. If we alienate them, it is going to be big trouble for all of us," the Congressman said.

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