India’s Ambassador to the United States, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, highlighted the transformative changes in India’s economy and policies over the past decade, attributing them to the strengthening of India-U.S. relations. Speaking at the ‘Capital Hill Summit 2026’ in Washington, Kwatra emphasized that the reforms initiated since 2014 have significantly bolstered trade, investment, and strategic cooperation between the two nations.
Addressing the event organized by the America-India Friendship Council, Kwatra remarked on India’s current phase of substantial transformation. He pointed out that the ongoing rapid economic growth and reforms in India have reinforced global partnerships, thereby extending the scope of cooperation between India and the United States into new areas. This, according to him, is a driving force behind the expanding collaboration between the two countries.
Kwatra revealed ambitious plans to elevate bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030, up from the current figure of approximately $220 billion. He noted the swift progress in partnerships across sectors such as technology, energy, and manufacturing, reflecting the dynamic nature of India-U.S. engagements.
The ambassador also underscored the intensified cooperation in defense and security, stating that India has become the largest foreign user of several key American defense platforms. He elaborated on the joint efforts of the two countries’ armed forces in addressing shared security challenges. Furthermore, he highlighted the growing coordination between India and the U.S. to maintain stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
In the realm of civilian nuclear energy, Kwatra mentioned the prospects for collaboration following the implementation of the SHANTI Act, which has opened new avenues for private sector partnerships in this field. This development is expected to further enhance technological and industrial cooperation between India and the United States. Kwatra also referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to the U.S. Congress, emphasizing the common democratic values shared by the two nations, which go beyond strategic partnership. The summit saw the presence of several prominent American leaders, including Representatives Ro Khanna, Deborah Ross, Tim Moore, and Senator Steve Daines, who engaged in discussions on the future of India-U.S. relations, global security, and economic collaboration. Experts believe that the evolving partnership between the two countries is poised to play a crucial role in global politics and trade in the coming years.