Senior Congress leaders on Friday moved adjournment motions in Parliament to raise alarm over the deteriorating diplomatic relations between India and the United States, particularly in light of recent incidents involving visa revocations of Indian students and the 26% reciprocal tariffs imposed by the US on Indian exports.
Congress MP Manish Tewari submitted a notice in the Lok Sabha seeking urgent discussion on what he described as growing concerns about India’s treatment in bilateral engagements with the US.
Tewari’s motion stated that the abrupt revocation of student visas had created an atmosphere of uncertainty, financial distress, and fear of deportation among Indian students studying in the US. He highlighted the lack of a transparent grievance redressal mechanism, noting that many students and their families had invested heavily—often through loans—in securing education abroad.
“Reports indicate that a significant number of Indian students have faced abrupt visa revocations, leading to uncertainty, financial distress, and the threat of deportation… The absence of a transparent grievance redressal mechanism has exacerbated anxiety among affected students and their families,” the motion stated.
Addressing the issue of tariffs, Tewari called the move a “serious concern” for India’s long-term trade and economic interests, arguing that such unilateral actions by the US undermine fair trade principles and affect key Indian sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, and technology.
“While fostering strong trade relations is desirable, such unilateral tariff impositions undermine the principles of mutual benefit and fair competition,” he said in the motion.
Congress MP Manickram Tagore also submitted a similar motion, warning that the new US tariffs were adversely impacting Indian exports, imports, and the livelihoods of farmers, MSMEs, and businesses across the country.
“The Indian government must present its position on how it intends to protect Indian businesses, farmers, and MSMEs from the adverse effects of these tariffs,” Tagore stated.
“The government must also outline its strategy for negotiating with the US, to address this situation and mitigate further damage to our economy.”
Congress MP and Deputy Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi too filed an adjournment notice, calling the tariffs a “retaliatory move” with “severe economic ramifications”, and demanded that the issue be taken up immediately in the House.
The coordinated move by the Congress MPs reflects a growing push by the Opposition to hold the government accountable for what they see as diplomatic mismanagement and a failure to shield Indian interests abroad.