Kwatra hails 'deepening' India-US partnership in talks with Sherman, Clark

• Kwatra held "productive" talks with Democratic lawmakers Brad Sherman and Katherine Clark
• Both meetings focused on deepening India-US defense, trade, technology and energy cooperation
• Kwatra briefed lawmakers on Jaishankar's Ukraine visit and India's efforts toward peaceful resolution
• Kwatra thanked Sherman for his "support to the India-US partnership"

INDIA's envoy to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, held productive meetings with Democratic lawmakers Brad Sherman and Katherine Clark, briefing them on New Delhi's efforts for the peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict.

Kwatra's discussions with the US Congresspersons focused on deepening India-US cooperation in sectors such as defense, trade, and technology, including New Delhi's energy security imperatives. The meetings came against the backdrop of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's visit to Ukraine.

"Had a useful conversation with Congressman @BradSherman today (Thursday) on our deepening ties in defence, trade, technology and energy, including India's energy security imperatives," Kwatra said in a post on X on Thursday.

"Also, exchanged views on the situation in Ukraine and briefed him on India's efforts for peaceful resolution of the conflict. Thanked him for his support to the India-US partnership," the post added.

Sherman, a 15th-term member of the US House of Representatives, is a senior member of the House Committees on Foreign Relations and Financial Services.

On Friday morning, Kwatra met Clark, the Democratic Whip in the House of Representatives, and discussed the growing energy cooperation between India and the US. He also discussed India's energy security imperatives and briefed Clark on the External Affairs Minister's visit to Ukraine.

In an X post on Friday, Kwatra said, "Had a productive conversation with Rep. Katherine Clark @WhipKClark today on the India-US partnership and recent developments in the defence, trade, technology and education pillars."

"We discussed our growing energy cooperation and India's energy security imperatives. I also briefed her on EAM Dr S Jaishankar's recent visit to Ukraine and India's continuing efforts for a peaceful resolution of the conflict," Kwatra said.

The meetings also assume significance as the Sanctioning Russia Act is pending approval by the US Congress. The bill, passed by the US Senate last month, seeks to empower President Donald Trump to impose up to 100 percent tariffs on countries, including China and India, that are major buyers of oil from Russia.

The US Congress is yet to list the bill for consideration, and Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said earlier this week that the party was yet to take a position on the measure.

"It risks providing tariff and sanctions authority to Donald Trump and his administration that we believe they will abuse," Jeffries told reporters on Monday, as the House reconvened after its August recess.

Ukraine's sanctions commissioner Vladyslav Vlasiuk was on a visit here this week to lobby lawmakers for early passage of the bill.

(With inputs from agencies)