Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) said that relations between the U.S. and India have reached their lowest point in three decades [1].
Khanna's critique highlights a growing rift in diplomatic strategy, suggesting that current administration policies are actively undermining economic stability and strategic partnerships in South Asia.
Speaking in Washington, D.C., during the USISPF Leadership Summit, Khanna focused on the consequences of President Donald Trump's approach to foreign affairs. He said that the administration's unilateral moves have damaged the credibility of the U.S. with its global allies.
Khanna specifically pointed to the administration's policy toward Iran as a primary driver of instability. He said these actions have contributed to rising fuel prices, which in turn have caused economic turmoil, and harmed the Indian economy.
According to Khanna, the diplomatic deterioration is a direct result of these policy choices [1]. He said that the current state of the U.S.–India relationship represents a historic low, marking the weakest level of ties seen in 30 years [1].
The lawmaker's comments come as the U.S. continues to navigate complex trade and security arrangements with India. By linking domestic economic issues, such as fuel costs, to high-level foreign policy toward Iran, Khanna framed the administration's strategy as a liability to both national interests and international standing.
“U.S.–India relations are at their lowest in three decades”
This critique reflects a significant internal political divide regarding the U.S. approach to 'America First' diplomacy. By framing the decline of U.S.-India relations as a 30-year low, Khanna is signaling that the current administration's transactional foreign policy may be creating long-term strategic deficits that outweigh short-term political gains.
