Senior Democratic Senator Mark Warner has said that President Donald Trump’s tariff policies have negatively impacted India-US relations, arguing that trade tensions disrupted a partnership that had been steadily growing in both economic and strategic importance.

Speaking to IANS, Warner described India as one of the United States’ most significant geopolitical partners and said successive American administrations had worked to strengthen bilateral ties. He noted that cooperation between the two countries had expanded across several areas, including trade, defense, technology, and regional security.

Warner, who serves as co-chair of the Senate India Caucus, highlighted the importance of the relationship in advancing US strategic interests. He pointed to the Quad grouping—comprising India, the United States, Japan, and Australia—as an example of how cooperation has deepened in recent years, particularly in the defense and security sectors.

The senator argued that progress in bilateral relations suffered because of what he described as the arbitrary nature of Trump’s tariff policies. Referring to earlier trade measures imposed on India, Warner said such actions created uncertainty and weakened the momentum that had been building between the two nations.

Despite his concerns, Warner said he was encouraged by signs that relations may be improving. However, he noted that it remains unclear whether significant progress was achieved during the recent meeting between President Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the G7 Summit.

Warner stressed that restoring trade growth should be a priority for both governments. He noted that trade volumes between the two countries had been rising rapidly before experiencing a slowdown amid tariff disputes.

The senator also underscored India’s increasing importance in emerging sectors such as biotechnology and artificial intelligence. He praised the Indian-American community for serving as a vital bridge between the two democracies and helping strengthen economic, cultural, and strategic ties.

According to Warner, closer India-US cooperation remains essential not only for economic growth but also for long-term regional stability and national security interests.