50% tariffs driving India towards Russia, China, says US' Ro Khanna; vows to protect bipartisan ties against 'Trump's ego'

US Congressman Ro Khanna has strongly criticised former President Donald Trump over steep tariffs on Indian goods, warning that the move is damaging decades of bipartisan work to deepen Washington’s partnership with New Delhi.

Khanna, who co-chairs the US-India Caucus, said the 50% duties were not only hurting Indian exporters of products such as leather and textiles but also undermining American manufacturers.

“He has imposed a 50 percent tariff on India, higher than any other country other than Brazil. It's a higher tariff than the tariff on China. It is hurting India's exports of leather and textiles into the United States. And it's hurting American manufacturers and our exports into India. It is also driving India towards China and towards Russia,” Khanna said in a video message on X.



The California Democrat accused Trump of jeopardising a strategic partnership out of personal grievances. “Now, why is this happening? For very simple reasons.

Prime Minister Modi refused to nominate Donald Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize. Well, Pakistan did. And India has said that the border dispute with Pakistan is an internal matter, refusing to give Donald Trump credit,” Khanna alleged.

He added that the alliance with India was too vital to be put at risk. “We can't allow the ego of Donald Trump to destroy a strategic relationship with India that is key to ensuring that America leads and not China. To all those Indian-Americans who voted for Donald Trump, I'm asking you, where are you today while he destroys this relationship?”

Wider criticism of Trump’s India policy

Khanna’s remarks came the same day former US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan claimed Trump had “thrown away” ties with India over Pakistan’s readiness to engage with his family business.

Speaking to MeidasTouch Network, Sullivan said, “US has worked to build a relationship with India, a country that we should be aligned with on technology, talent, economics and so many issues… I think because of Pakistan's willingness to do business with the Trump's family, Trump has thrown away India relationship on side. Germany or Japan will look at that (India) and say that could be us tomorrow.”

The White House’s current economic team struck a more measured note. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent expressed confidence that trade disputes would be resolved, stressing that India’s democratic credentials brought it closer to Washington than to Moscow or Beijing.

“I think at the end of the day, two great countries will get this solved. But the Indians have not been great actors in terms of buying Russian oil and then reselling it, financing the Russian war effort in Ukraine,” Bessent told Fox Business.

Meanwhile, White House trade adviser Peter Navarro took aim at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for engaging with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

“It was a shame to see Modi getting in bed as a leader of the biggest democracy in the world with the two biggest authoritarian dictators in the world - Putin and Xi Jinping,” Navarro said.

At the same Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, Modi defended India’s approach, emphasising that stronger regional connectivity was essential.

“India has always believed that strong connectivity not only boosts trade but also opens doors to growth and trust,” the prime minister told the gathering.