New Delhi, Jan 8 (UNI) The Congress on Thursday flagged what it called a sharp deterioration in India-US relations, warning that bilateral ties are entering a “new abnormal” phase amid looming sanctions threats, adverse trade proposals in the US Congress and diplomatic signals that have caused “extreme discomfiture” in New Delhi. Congress general secretary (communication) Jairam Ramesh said the turbulence comes despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi being among the first foreign leaders to visit the White House during President Donald Trump’s second term, underscoring that early outreach has failed to shield India from mounting pressures in Washington. “Indo-US relations are going through very turbulent times in spite of the PM being among the first to land up in the White House during Trump 2.0,” Ramesh said in a statement, adding that “there is undoubtedly a ‘new abnormal’ in the bilateral relationship.” Ramesh pointed to a Bill being pushed by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a close ally of President Trump, that seeks to impose sweeping new sanctions on India over its trade and other ties with Russia.
