**US Democratic Delegation Voices Concerns Over President Trump’s Policies During Meeting with Indian MPs**
A visiting US delegation comprising five Democratic members recently engaged with Indian Members of Parliament (MPs) from across party lines in the Standing Committee of External Affairs, chaired by Dr. Shashi Tharoor. The interaction provided a platform to discuss a range of pressing bilateral issues, with the Democrats expressing significant concerns about policy changes under US President Donald Trump’s administration.
**Concerns Raised Over US Policy Changes**
During the meeting, the Democratic delegation was particularly critical of several Trump administration policies affecting India, including changes to the H-1B visa program, the 50% tariff imposed on Indian goods, and what was described as the US President’s constant presence in diplomatic matters. In response to questions from Indian MPs, the delegation urged the Indian diaspora in the United States to raise their voices against such policies and engage actively with their political representatives.
Speaking to the media after the session, committee chairman Dr. Shashi Tharoor highlighted a notable observation from the US lawmakers. “I do want to stress that one of the points we raised is why the Indian-American diaspora has been so silent about all this. One of the Congressmen said not one phone call has come to her office from any Indian-American voter asking her to support a change of policy. This is something that is surprising,” he shared.
Dr. Tharoor added, “We all need to reach out to the Indian-American population, saying if you care about your relationship with the motherland, then you also have to fight for it and speak for it, and make more of an effort to press your political representative to stand up for India.”
He also emphasized that the visiting US lawmakers remain “friends of India” and are “well-disposed towards the country.”
**Discussion on Iran’s Chabahar Port and Visa Issues**
Among other topics, the committee discussed the US sanctions waiver concerning Iran’s Chabahar Port—an important project being developed by India. The visa issue, especially the challenges related to the H-1B program, was a point of concern raised mainly by opposition leaders from the Samajwadi Party.
Ballia MP Sanatan Pandey and Firozabad MP Akshay Yadav highlighted how these policies adversely affect many Indians. Pandey commented on the delegation’s composition, noting, “Sanatan Pandey and I met with the visiting delegation led by Amerish Bera. We told them that we are the third-largest party in India and our leader along with Sanatan Pandey and Akshay Yadav represent the Samajwadi Party.”
**Participation from BJP MPs and Other Discussions**
The meeting was also attended by MPs from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), including Sudhanshu Trivedi, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Aparajita Sarangi, and Bansuri Swaraj, among others.
In the session’s initial half, a detailed discussion on India-Sri Lanka relations took place, during which India’s Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri, briefed the committee on recent developments and diplomatic efforts.
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This important dialogue reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen US-India ties, while addressing challenges posed by shifting policies and encouraging greater political participation from the Indian diaspora.
https://www.news18.com/world/indian-diaspora-must-speak-on-trumps-policy-changes-visiting-us-congressmen-tell-parliament-panel-9592589.html
