'Trump destroying India-US strategic partnership because Modi refuses to nominate him for Nobel': Democrat Ro Khanna

US Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna has said that President Donald Trump is “destroying” India-US ties because Prime Minister Narendra Modi refuses to nominate him for the Nobel Peace Prize.

“He has imposed a 50 per cent 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,” he said.

The Congressman added, “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.”

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Trump is destroying 30 years of bipartisan work to build the US-India strategic partnership because Modi refuses to nominate him for a Nobel Peace Prize. He imposed higher tariffs of 50% on India than China.

Which Indian Americans who voted for Trump are speaking out? https://t.co/KdBYIUWDMo pic.twitter.com/GNG8aiNOH5

— Ro Khanna (@RoKhanna) September 2, 2025

Trump has been slammed by his Opposition over his punitive tariffs on India, which he defends as New Delhi buys oil from Russia. The 50 per cent tariffs have plunged the India-US relationship to a new low, with Trump calling India’s economy “dead”.

“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?” Khanna added.

Democrats hit out at Trump

The Democratic leadership of the House Foreign Affairs Committee has criticised US President Donald Trump for “singling out” India over its imports of Russian oil while avoiding similar action against China, which remains a larger buyer.

The committee said the new tariffs imposed on Indian goods were “sabotaging” the relationship between Washington and New Delhi, arguing that the administration’s approach unfairly penalises India while overlooking Beijing’s far greater purchases of Russian crude.

Former US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has blasted US President Donald Trump for launching what he called a “  massive trade offensive” against India, warning it risks pushing New Delhi closer to Beijing.

Speaking on The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller, Sullivan said many US allies now see Washington as “a big disruptor” rather than a dependable partner, while China has gained ground globally.

“When I go to these places now and I talk to leaders, they are talking about derisking from the United States. They now see the US as the big disruptor, the country that can’t be counted on,” he said.

PM Modi rejects Trump’s Nobel bid

Trump claimed credit for halting hostilities between India and Pakistan in May and, during a 17 June phone call, sought New Delhi’s support for a Nobel Peace Prize nomination, according to a report by The New York Times.

PM Modi is said to have replied that US involvement “had nothing to do with the recent cease-fire,” insisting the matter was “settled directly between India and Pakistan.”