In a rare show of unity, lawmakers from both the Republican and Democratic parties have come together to reaffirm their commitment to strengthening the India–US relationship. This bipartisan support comes just months after the Trump administration rolled out policies that many believe undermined Indian interests.
Over the past 10 days, at least six bipartisan letters and resolutions have been introduced, addressing various concerns ranging from visa restrictions to rising anti-Hindu sentiment. Collectively, they reflect a strong push from both sides of the aisle to defend the interests of the Indian American community and ensure accountability from the administration.
One such letter, signed by Representatives Sanford Bishop, Shri Thanedar, Suhas Subramanyam, and Rich McCormick, expressed concern over an upcoming Rutgers University event that lawmakers feared might provoke prejudice against Hindus—particularly after recent attacks on temples across the United States.
Just days earlier, another bipartisan group wrote to President Donald Trump and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, raising alarm over the new H-1B visa proclamation. They cautioned that the $100,000 application fee could severely impact US employers and weaken the country’s competitiveness. Democrats like Suhas Subramanyam joined hands with Republicans Jay Obernolte and Don Bacon to voice shared concerns.
Meanwhile, four US lawmakers urged President Trump to attend the upcoming Quad Leaders’ Summit in India, emphasizing the importance of continued engagement in the Indo-Pacific region. On the same day, another resolution was introduced in the House recognizing the significant contributions of the Indian American diaspora and condemning acts of racism against them.
The growing bipartisan consensus marks a notable shift from early October when only Democratic members called on the President to “reset and repair” relations with India. Political observers suggest that months of rising tariffs and strained diplomatic exchanges have pushed both parties to act. The Trump administration’s 50% tariff hike on Indian imports and the restrictive H-1B measures had drawn sharp criticism.
Democratic Representative Ami Bera noted that some Republicans were initially hesitant to challenge the administration directly. However, with recent progress in trade talks and Trump’s public praise for Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a Diwali celebration at the White House, momentum toward repairing ties has strengthened.
Bera summed up the bipartisan spirit, stating, “This shouldn’t be about party politics. The India-US relationship isn’t a Democratic or Republican matter — it’s an American one.”
