Thu Sep 11 01:46:33 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text, followed by a news article based on that summary:

**Summary:**

A virtual conference of Indian American leaders, including lawmakers, business figures, and former U.S. diplomats, convened to express alarm over President Trump’s escalating trade war with India. They warned that the tariffs and recent rhetoric are jeopardizing decades of bipartisan progress in U.S.-India relations. Speakers emphasized the strategic importance of the relationship, cautioning that pushing India closer to Russia and China would have lasting consequences. They called for an immediate rollback of tariffs, increased dialogue between the two nations, and intensified community activism to reaffirm the partnership. Participants linked the escalation to Trump’s perceived snub by Prime Minister Modi, underscoring the erosion of trust and the need for urgent action.

**News Article:**

**Trump’s Trade War Threatens Decades of U.S.-India Progress, Warns Indian American Leaders**

**Washington D.C. – September 11, 2025** – A coalition of prominent Indian American leaders has issued a stark warning about the deteriorating state of U.S.-India relations under President Donald Trump, citing his administration’s trade war and increasingly critical rhetoric as a grave threat to decades of bipartisan cooperation.

During a virtual conference organized by the Indian American Council on Wednesday, experts including Congressman Ro Khanna, Silicon Valley investor Vinod Khosla, and former U.S. Ambassadors to India Richard Verma and Eric Garcetti, expressed deep concern that Trump’s policies are driving a wedge between the world’s two largest democracies.

Speakers highlighted the potential strategic implications of alienating India, cautioning that escalating tariffs could push New Delhi towards closer alignment with Russia and China. Khosla specifically warned of a potential shift away from the U.S. dollar as a global currency, driven by the BRIC nations.

“This is not a business deal you walk away from. It’s a long-term commitment,” stated Khosla, emphasizing the long-term consequences of estranging a vital partner.

Congressman Khanna pointed out that India currently faces higher tariffs from the U.S. than even China, impacting key industries like textiles and leather. Participants suggested the escalation may stem from Prime Minister Modi’s perceived lack of support for a Nobel Peace Prize nomination for Trump.

Former Ambassador Garcetti lamented the rapid erosion of goodwill, calling the situation “the deepest set of blows… from an American executive to India that we’ve seen in over 20 years.”

The group urged immediate action, calling for a rollback of tariffs, the establishment of semi-official dialogues between leaders, and congressional delegations to India to reaffirm the importance of the relationship. Former Ambassador Verma expressed disbelief that Trump had “wiped out 25 years of progress,” citing the re-emergence of distrust in the relationship.

Business leaders echoed the call for calm and urged the Indian diaspora to mobilize and advocate for a course correction. Silicon Valley veteran Kanwal Rekhi emphasized the need to increase lobbying efforts to raise awareness.

Participants agreed to focus on pressing lawmakers to reverse the tariffs and to amplify community activism to underscore the strategic importance of the U.S.-India partnership.

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