Republican representative Rich McCormick
NEW DELHI: Amid questions over Washington’s outreach to Islamabad in recent months, senior US lawmakers moved to clear the air, stressing that India — not Pakistan — remains central to America’s long-term strategic vision in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.Speaking at a discussion hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), representative Rich McCormick underlined India’s importance to global stability. “There is no more important friend that we’re going to need for the future of not just the United States and India, but for the entire stability of the world, than India,” he said, pointing to “the commonality we have in the way we look at economics and freedom and advancement of a people.”
McCormick also highlighted the strength of economic ties between the two countries. “Pakistan is a country with 300 million people. But you don’t see it bringing investments into America. India not only take investment, it also brings investments into the United States,” he said.Stressing the broader importance of the relationship, McCormick warned, “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.” His remarks come amid strains in bilateral ties following the Trump administration’s decision to impose steep 50% tariffs over India’s purchase of Russian oil. Relations have also faced friction over issues such as US immigration policy and President Donald Trump’s claim of having ended the India–Pakistan conflict in May last year.Representative Ami Bera echoed the message, saying routine diplomatic engagement with Pakistan should not be mistaken for a strategic shift. “We’re not creating a strategic partnership with Pakistan,” Bera said. “You don’t see American companies making multibillion-dollar investments in Pakistan. That’s all happening in India,” he said, adding that investors clearly understand US priorities.While noting that India follows an independent foreign policy, McCormick said Washington understands New Delhi’s decisions. Calling PM Narendra Modi “extremely nationalistic,” he said, “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.”The renewed emphasis on the partnership comes as Washington and New Delhi work to finalise a comprehensive bilateral trade agreement. US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor has said the two sides are actively engaged in concluding a new deal.
